Red Stripe

I got my new camera today! It's a Canon Powershot SX130 IS and so far it's pretty awesome. I'm still getting used to it (and trying to learn a few more basic photography skills in the meantime), and I'm also taking pictures in a different location than usual (with different lighting and backgrounds to fend with), so bare with me! New toys are always fun, though!

Fur Collar Surplus Jacket - Ecote (Urban Outfitters) / Red Stripe Top - Cooperative Designs (Urban Outfitters) /
Flare-leg jeans - Lane Bryant / Taupe boots - Laundry by Chinese Laundry (Famous Footwear)

You'll notice of course that I'm wearing my surplus jacket again. I said I would! =P I bought this fantastic red stripe top at the same time I bought the jacket, and I just loved how they paired together. I was also pleasantly surprised when it rang up as only $9.99! Seriously, though, it still boggles my mind how everything I bought at that Urban Outfitters trip goes together, not to mention a zillion other things in my closet. That's the kind of clothing purchase that makes a shopaholic feel good!

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa" in Blue Marine

More importantly, I can't get over how flattering this top is. Lately I've been depending on layers not only to add more visual interest to my outfits (and to keep warm, duh) but to cover up my ever-expanding midsection (I hate being over 30 for that reason). This top camouflages all of that in the most feminine and interesting ways. From the zip that hits just below the decolletage, to the wide neckline that exposes more of that sexy shoulder area (an area of my body I do quite love), to the waistline that hits at the smallest part and just flares right out over my muffin top and hips. Who knew $9.99 could buy a positive body image! I just might have to wear this top alone more often that not.

Er, still with a skirt/pants/jeans, of course... =7

Hammered disc ring - The Limited / Sterling Silver Loop necklace  Kohl's /  Earrings - LOFT

I close with a camera query for you more advanced users out there. My continuing problem with taking full-body pictures, primarily when I'm using the timer setting, is that I can't get my face to be in focus, even with a face detect function. When I have someone taking pictures for me, I have less of a problem since they can choose the focus. Suggestions?

Owl Post

I had the best weekend with girlfriends. Bagels, shopping, spilling of guts - just what girlfriends are for. Shopping is especially awesome when there is nothing in particular you are looking for, and POW, amazing pieces and killer deals practically fall into your lap. This fur collar surplus jacket was probably my biggest find. As something I've been casually keeping my eye out for, its interesting details - asymmetrical zipper, elasticized waist to keep it from being boxy, removable fur collar - fulfilled every desire I could have for such an item. And on clearance? Score!

Fur Collar Surplus Jacket - Ecote (Urban Outfitters) / Owl Print Chiffon Tank - Pins & Needles (Urban Outfitters) /
Refined denim skirt - Lane Bryant

This is definitely a new look for me, though. Well, the pencil skirt + boots + jacket is a formula I know and love well... but the fur collar surplus jacket thing itself, not to mention the whole owl print thing (a phenomenon in everything from tanks to housewares), is a look I've been daring myself to rock out. So when both of these items crossed my path, I knew there's be no better time to give it a try.

Tights ("Rust") - We Love Colors / Skinny purple belt - The Limited / Suede taupe boots - Nine West (via Amazon.com) /
Handbag - Tano "Minilisa" in Blue Marine

I have to say that the owl print grew on me pretty fast. I love that the owls alternate between upside down and right side up (they are just too cute), and the colors in the top are great to work with. Pulling out any one (or more) of them is so easy with accessories! Hence the fabulous orange tights (I'm totally a We Love Colors believer now, though I think I could have sized down!) and purple belt...

Earrings - LOFT / Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed)

Tomorrow? I sure am featuring the jacket again...

The Caped Crusader

Finally another Anthropologie birthday spree post! Behold - the capelet of my dreams!

Craftmanship Capelet - Anthropologie (gifted!) / Cream Cotton Slub Tee - LOFT /
Dark Skinnies - Gap / Boots - Ciao Bella (DSW)

This not actually my first wearing of this fantastic piece of clothing. I wore it the first week in January - pretty much as soon as I had an opportunity to do so. But, alas, I was still in a holiday funk and wasn't back to blogging yet. All this meant to me was that I could wear it again for the sake of the blog!!

This was the one item on my wishlist that I simply had to have. When Bob announced his birthday gift to me would be a mini shopping day at Anthropologie, I knew that this must come home with me. Sadly, the store didn't have it (I think few stores did), but you betta believe I ordered that puppy as soon as I could. In fact, I think I was ordering it from Bob's iPhone while he was buying his celebrated L.L. Bean boots (the next stop after Anthropologie)...

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa" in Blue Marine

When I finally received my package after a frustrating shipping snafu (which Anthropologie remedied and then some), I was in complete awe with how gorgeous of an item it was. So nicely constructed, perfectly tailored, richly colored, and it fits like a dream. I couldn't be happier with it! I just have to figured out other ways I can wear it...

Ideas?

Necklace - Banana Republic (eBayed)

The Last Minute

This was not the outfit I had planned to wear today. I was initially going to wear a new wrap dress I recently scored on eBay, lookin' a little fancier and what not. But when I learned that tonight's big performance was canceled due to the snow storm and all its effects, I thought I'd go much more casual. I had about 10 minutes to figure out what this dressy-casual ensem was going to be, and this was it.

Printed cardigan - LOFT / Lavender tank - LOFT / Refined denim skirt - Lane Bryant /
Tights (both) - Simply Vera (Kohl's) / Suede boots - Nine West (via Amazon.com)

Now that I see it all together in these pictures, I'm not at all in love with the proportions, but for something thrown together at the last minute, it's not all bad. I've also managed to wear all these items before on the blog (skirt; sweater; tank; boots), but not ever together. So, yay remix! The instigators were the boots and a casual denim skirt, and my current favorite color palette of cream, purple and blue pretty much fell into place after that. I'm even wearing two pairs of tights - navy layered over purple - in hopes for a purpley-blue mixed color effect, but instead I got just a more opaque navy. Meh. Had I more time, I think I would have tried the purple tights over the blue and would have been much happier with the color. Two pairs definitely kept my legs warmer, though!

Eh, you win some and lose some...

Necklace - LOFT / Double-wrap skinny belt - LOFT

I'm glad you all enjoyed yesterday's post with Bob! It was fun for both of us, so I'm sure we'll do it again!

What about Bob?

It's a snow day here in my neck of the woods, which means I'm not getting out of my lounge wear for anything. So I thought it would be a good day to share this post from my wonderful and equally fashionable boyfriend, Bob. Enjoy!

***

I’d first like to thank Jessica for letting me guest blog for her awesome website! To me, life is all about experiences. I look at everything in my life through the prism of the experiential. I view clothes the same way.

Every article of clothing tells me a story. The Nautica brown herringbone blazer I'm wearing was a Christmas present from Jessica a few years ago. She saw me admiring it once at a Macy’s, but I never had the intention of getting it so it was a complete surprise when I opened the box. [Jessica here. (I'll make interjections in this format throughout.) It's been a oft-worn article of clothing, too - one of those investment pieces no man should pass up.] Underneath the blazer is a navy blue wool ½ zip-up sweater from Ralph Lauren. It’s one of the few nicer pieces of clothing that survived an apartment fire from six years ago. I’m glad it did because Jessica loves seeing me in ½ zips.  [That's the truth. He actually has a small collection of them...] Underneath that is a pink and grey striped button down shirt from Banana Republic that Jessica got for me during the few months she worked there. [When I wasn't spying things I wanted for myself, I was constantly putting together outfits for Bob. He got tired of it after awhile.]

 Dubious Denim

Believe it or not, I grew up hating wearing jeans. I think I stopped wearing them through most of my teen years. When I did finally get a pair again, I shocked a lot of my classmates. I finally conceded that they were just too versatile not to have in the wardrobe of a poor student. I would only own one pair at at time and only buy another when my current pair would threaten indecent exposure from all the holes. But it also bugs me that, due to the sheer popularity of jeans, they are frequent victims to the whims of fashion fads, of which I am not a fan. Jessica and I struggled in finding what exactly I like and should stick with. After a few months of bickering about it, we finally found the right formula: straight leg, not too long, and a dark wash with as little fading and whiskering as possible. Basically, no bells and whistles at all. [But they have to make his butt look good. =)] It actually took us over a year to find the pair I'm now wearing - a straight leg, vintage wash jean from Polo Ralph Lauren (Outlet), which is in all ways perfect. Unlike the past, too, I now have a rotation of jeans. This pair is one that I save for dressing up, but in all other instances, I wear one of my faded older pairs. Hopefully, this will keep me from buying another pair for a long time.

The Boots

After six winters in Illinois, I finally decided to get winter boots. I threw away my last pair after the fire and didn’t feel that I needed to replace them. These past couple winters have been especially snowy so I finally decided to get a pair. I took one look on Zappos and I was overwhelmed by all the choices available. Serendipitously, the very next day after deciding to look for a pair, Esquire magazine (a subscription I've had for years) ran a feature on the LL Bean boot. That made my decision much easier. I managed to get them just before the snowiest winter we’ve had during my entire time here. Best purchase I’ve made in quite a while. [And worn pretty darn stylishly here if you ask me!]

The Occasion

As for the entire outfit, I wore it to an event called Porkapalooza - a foodie celebration of all things pork with a loud polka/punk band in the background. A trendy downtown Champaign bar, Boltini, has hosted this event for the past two years. I had to go by myself because Jessica had to work that evening. [And because such an event is not really Weight Watchers friendly, now, is it??]

I have gotten quite used to letting Jessica pick out my outfits for going out. At the very least, she has veto power over any choices I do make within this realm. [Damn straight! Haha.] On the rare occasion that I have to dress up for an outing that doesn’t involve her, I feel somewhat apprehensive picking something out. In the end, I was happy with what I had picked out and Jessica loved it. [Bob isn't giving himself enough credit. He knows what he's doing and he always looks good. He's been a good student. =) ] I jokingly asked her if this outfit could be my maiden entry [bachelor entry?] into Surely Sonsy and, well, you can figure out the rest!

Trapeze Artist

For an outfit that was planned entirely around being able to wear my snow boots, I'm impressed by what I've put together for today - especially considering that I finally settled on it around 1 a.m. this morning. Maybe that's why I'm wearing a smirk in all these photos ...

Brown trapeze jacket - Seven 7 for Lane Bryant / Grey studded tee - Lane Bryant / Dark skinnies - Gap /
Brown animal print flats - Payless

Having to commute to work in snow boots means that I'm wearing either skinny jeans so I can tuck them into the boots or a skirt/dress with tights, and then bringing an additional pair of shoes to change into at work, of course. (I'm sure I'm not alone on that one.) I ruled out a skirt and tights almost immediately, and I preferred easy flats rather than knee-high boots (which would have been too much of a pain to pack) - a rarity with skinnies for me lately. Thankfully (?) I could forgo socks because my boots have a sock lining. In the end, I'm impressed not only that I went to work today, but that I actually wore a blog-worthy outfit. (Comfortable frumpage was admittedly my first inclination.) OOh, and it's a remix too! [Pats self on back.]

Though I've never worn either of these tops yet on the blog, I've definitely never worn them together before. Considering that brown and grey is one of my favorite color combinations, I'm surprised I haven't! The jacket is tough to wear, though, thanks to its bulky trapeze shape and funnel neck collar. But, it turned out to be a perfect topper for skinny jeans!

Most of my work day was spent preparing to not be in the office tomorrow, whether (cuz of the weather...bahahaha) or not the university was going to be closed. Even then I had planned to work a half day-ish today so I could get the heck out of there before the snowpocalypse (as has been the buzzword) descended upon us. I made it home about an hour before it hit, and now I sit at my kitchen table watching the snow blow around the courtyard and obsessively checking email for updates regarding the status of work and, more importantly, performances tomorrow.

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa" in Blue Marine

As for tonight, we shall enjoy a roaring fireplace (hence all the wood you see in the background), hot tea, What Not to Wear, a little Wii, and snuggling (of course).

Earrings - Maurices (?) / Ring - Banana Republic / Sterling silver necklace - Kohl's

How does your daily transportation affect how you dress each day?

Edited to add: At the request of the ever-fabulously booted Tania, here are my snow boots!

Snow boots - Bare Traps (eBayed)

Back to Basics

For all the time I spent knocking my initial outfit idea in yesterday's post, it's somewhat of a wonder that I ended up wearing it today! (I did warn you, however!) I guess it was just one of those days where I had to be presentable but I didn't want to try too hard. Ever have one of those days? Methinks you can see it in my face, too. =7

Dark blue blazer - The Limited / Sequin bib top - LOFT / Beige wide-leg pants - NY & Co. /
Metallic burgundy pumps - Charles by Charles David (via Zappos)

It is what it is - a reliable ensemble of blazer + wide leg pants + embellished top. Nothing too fancy or even creative, but I do think the sequined neckline adds a nice touch. Its color palette of navy and burgundy is one I always love, too, and is what inspired the outfit idea in the first place. The only thing I'd change is the round toe shoe - I think it makes my legs look wider and stumpier than they are. But, hoping to add a little more pizazz to the ensemble, I chose them for their metallic burgundy color and left it at that.

Handbag - Tano "Homemade Cake" in Bordeaux

Really, it all just comes down to great jewelry. =) The ring is the second one I recently scored from eBay, which is actually just a replacement of one I received as a Christmas gift from my sister last year, but recently lost. I'm so very glad it popped up on eBay, because it is one of my all-time favorites!

Earrings - LOFT / Flower ring - Banana Republic (eBayed)

As I was only at work for a few hours today, I ended up swapping out the pants for some jeans and the blazer for a military green cropped jacket (which you've seen often) as soon as I got home. I didn't get any pictures, but I totally loved the casual remix, not to mention the pairings of olive and burgundy, sequins and military. I plan to wear it again for a casual work day (and subsequent blog post) soon!

Variations on a Theme

This outfit is not at all what I had first planned on wearing tonight, but I'm pretty thrilled with it!

Cardigan - LOFT / Spotted ruffle tiered shell - LOFT / Tweed pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Nude heels - Nine West (via Endless.com)

When I was picking out my work-wear for the evening, I initially wanted to keep it low-key and easy with a pants-jacket-embellished top ensemble. It was relatively boring, sure, but - thanks to cleaning all afternoon (and the effects of PMS) - I didn't have much energy or desire to put something else together. Once I had it on, though, I knew I could do better - perhaps a variation of my colorful cardigan-pencil ensem! So I thumbed through my (many) cardigans, and I pulled out this bright teal one to get me started.

I liked the idea of pairing this otherwise colorful cardi (heralding spring?) with this dark tweed skirt (last seen here) to give a more wintry, but still cheerful, feel. Where the top was concerned, I didn't want to wear just a simple camisole, so I dug around my closet for an embellished or even printed top to try a little pattern mixing again. My initial preference was stripes, but then I spied this dot-print shell, last seen here. I hesitated at first, thinking it was too much of a pattern mix considering how large the dots were. I scoured my belt collection to find one in grey or cream to help break up the two prints a bit more, but I just didn't have one that could sit at my hips. So, I convinced myself to just run with it. I mean, it's better than whatever else I was going to wear! (Which might be tomorrow's outfit, FYI...)

When Bob saw me, he ooohed a bit, commenting how "Mad-Menny" it made me look. (This is a good thing, of course.) He even approved of the pattern mixing! NOW I was sold. =)

The shoes had a moment of indecision. I went back and forth between these on-trend nude heels and a pair of grey faux-suede pumps. Bob voted for the grey pumps for obvious reasons, but I liked the look of the nude heels, pulling out the cream tones in the top, and really extending the line of my leg (as all nude heels so fabulously do). They're not great for being on my feet all night, but beauty is pain, people!

Handbag - Tano "Twiggy"

In the end, I adore the color palette, and I especially like the visual interest of the tiered ruffles. I might still try to find a belt for future (springtime?) wearings, but this particular pattern mixture is really growing on me!

Earrings - LOFT / Necklace - LOFT - Multi-colored stone ring - Banana  Republic

I leave you with this: When I arrived at work, my house managers were pretty excited that I was wearing ruffles. (My house managers are currently all fashion-conscious women.) Apparently we all were! This outfit was fated...

Beautiful Baubles

Hopefully by now you know my love of statement accessories - be it necklaces, rings, handbags, belts, shoes...you name it. So I just about flipped my lid when Ariana of FATale Fashion announced her CatMooreDesign Giveaway! After four wonderful posts featuring this jewelry designer that had me drooling, I was completely shocked (and soooo excited) when she announced that she was going to give one of her pieces away! There's taking one for the team, Ariana!  (I don't think I could have had as much willpower with accessories like those...) So make sure you not only stop by Ariana's blog to enter the giveaway (and really just because she's one of my favorite bloggers), but also check out Cat Moore's amazing creations at her Esty shop!

 
Er, or maybe I shouldn't encourage you to enter the giveaway so I can win!!! =D

Face Time

I can't remember the last time I didn't have to work an event on Friday night. (Mind you, I'll be working both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon...) So I took advantage of a truly casual Friday, and I had a little fun with it!

Black jacket - Maurices / face graphic tee - LOFT / Leopard print ponte knit skirt - Lane Bryant /
Pink tights - Lane Bryant / Black boots  - Nine West "Onthemoon" (via Endless.com)

I just love a graphic tee, don't you? They can do such unique things for outfits.

I wanted to try styling up my new black boots again, and though I stayed with a mainly black color palate, I dressed it up with a printed pencil skirt (tweed and pinstriped were also early options), this cute graphic tee, and - oh yeah - bright pink tights! I've actually done a graphic tee with this pencil skirt before (another face tee, too!), but not like this! When I remembered that I had these super colorful tights that I hadn't yet worn, and that they matched the pink lips in the tee so perfectly, I knew I scored! 

I initially thought I'd rock my fuchsia Gustto with this outfit, but it was totally a pink overkill at that point. Instead, I pulled out this two-toned metallic Tano I had (and sadly rarely wear) to have at least one neutral accessory,  which even pulls out some of the grey tones in the tee. Can you believe I hesitated at first because I thought it was too small? Sure you can... =D

Handbag - Tano "Twiggy"

But I did add just one more pink accent with these pink stone earrings!

Hammered metal disc ring - The Limited / Pink stone earrings - New York & Co.