Indoor Games

Ah, indoor pictures. I both love and hate you. I love the fact that I don't have to venture somewhere outside and play the "I'm just looking down at the sidewalk over here, while that random tripod is just standing in front of me" game every time cars drive by. I hate the fact that I don't have an empty wall or a neutral backdrop anywhere in my cramped little apartment and that getting the right lighting will always be a challenge. For better or worse, however, indoor pictures have only been an occasional occurrence so far this "winter."

Top - Banana Republic / Pencil skirt - eloquii / Shoes - Max Studio (via DSW)

Burgundy and leopard continue to inspire all my fall wardrobe choices. It is been my favorite fall combination, that's for sure, and one I'm not done with yet! I grabbed the top online with one of Banana Republic's weekly 40% off coupons to (partially) appease my obsessive hunt for more burgundy goodness. I sure didn't need it, but I obviously had to have it. Obviously. It's difficult to tell from the pictures, but the yoke of the top is a panel of sheer material, creating a unique mixed media effect that makes it much more than your average top, burgundy or otherwise.

Ring - Banana Republic (gifted) / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - The Limited

Speaking of BR, has anyone else taken advantage of their totes amazing "Twelve Days of Joy" campaign? Special offers and free gifts December 1-12! My faves? Samples for Benefit Cosmetics (as a true Sephora junkie, I can never pass up make-up samples), a $10 voucher for movie tickets to see Les Misérables (a no-brainer!!) and a sample of Garrett's Popcorn (Chicagoans will know the well-earned fame behind their cracktastic bites). I'm just stunned by the freebies going around this holiday season!! Sign me up! (Says I, as I slather my lips with the Fresh Mini Sugar Lip Treatment I got from Sephora for my birthday reward.) It makes it easier to spend money on other people during the holidays if I can still stock up... =7

Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

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