March Madness

Well, I had a joyous, productive vacation and, as always, it is hard to go back to work and all other manner of one's normal routine. In fact, I might have also taken off yesterday in an effort to recoup before I had to dive back in. I would have loved another week, of course, but I'm quite happy to report an extra day did quite nicely. I spent most of last week completing apartment cleaning/organizing projects, with windows wide open and music blaring, dressing in cute (and blogged!) outfits to run errands about town. I spent the weekend in WI with family, enjoying a little shopping and much-needed pedicures with mom and sister. All in all, delightful, relaxing, and totally rejuvenating.

Blazer - LOFT / Striped top - Banana Republic / Scarf - Banana Republic / Skinnies - Gap

I'm kind of enjoying the vacillation between mid-summer and early spring, though. (March madness, indeed.) I get to break out cute tops, skirts and sandals one day (and all of last week, really), getting to layer with blazers and scarves the next. Never a dull (sartorial) moment. Wearing scarves with my hair down reminds me that it's waaaaaaaaaaaaaaay past time to get a hair cut, though.

The scarf, a recent acquisition, was the star of this particular show. I love its color palette of blue, pink and a splash of orange; it just might be a herald of my ideal spring/summer wardrobe. For some reason, I've been all about stripes with printed scarves lately (easy pattern-mixing, methinks), so that plus blazer, skinnies and nude heels came together for yet another (and last for a while) leisurely girl-around-town outfit.

The colors of the scarf, and of the luminous spring foliage behind me, brought much-needed color to the day, as well. Cloudy and chilly, it was a day that reminded us all that, yes, it's still March after all.

Ring - Ruche / Scarf - Banana Republic / Earrings - Lane Bryant

Pretty sure I've found a favorite new photo location, however...

Shoes - Nine West "Hollyce" (via Zappos) / Handbag - Tano

Shoe-In

Sometimes it's just about the shoes. Alright, more often than not it's about the shoes, but this one really was about the shoes. I mean, how else does one celebrate prematurely warm (albeit windy) spring days than with bright-colored open-toed amazingness? Sheesh, what am I doing to do when it's officially spring? (Stay tuned, I guess...)

Blazer - NY&Co. / Striped top - Banana Republic / Skinnies - Gap / Sandals - Nine West

Skinny jeans had to play somewhat of an equal part too, though, since I knew they would best showcase these hot pink babies. But what next? Oh, stripes, you say? Stripes that just so happen to echo the pink of the shoes? Oh, yes! But what to do for another layer? Something neutral, something structured. My love-hate relationship with blazers was to continue with this simple, basic beige version that gave just enough shape to the waist, and just enough (casual) work-appropriate balance to the outfit.

This is actually one of the few, rare times I didn't cuff my skinnies, either. I tend to prefer them cuffed when I'm wearing heels - the proportions seem a bit better on me. But I confess I like the bunched-up-ankle look here. They give my leg a longer line (which I need) and, more importantly, they seem to bring more attention to the fabulosity of the shoes.

Snakeskin clutch - eloquii

Here's the real kicker (no pun intended): the shoes are comfortable, too!

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - ? 

Now I just need a pedicure...

The Affair of the Necklace

I finally found an outfit for this necklace! I've been holding on to it ever since December, when I got it from my mom as a birthday gift. It's ironic, because I'd been lusting after it forever, claiming that if I ever did get my hands on it I'd wear with everything. Well, it's not been that easy! I've tried to wear it a few times but I never could find an outfit that worked - the size and shape of it is quite overwhelming even for a girl who loves statement necklaces! The combination of colors and proportion in this outfit finally seemed to hit the mark.

I've decided blazers don't photograph well for me, though. Okay, the real reason is that none of my mine fit properly, but the thought of getting them tailored intimidates me. This one is particularly bulky, and I don't really wear it much as a result, but it's such a pretty dusty purple that I can't get rid of it. (Or, you know, get it tailored.) I particularly loved the idea of it paired with the darker purple top underneath. And the layers of the two with the minty green beaded goodness of the necklace was perfection.

Corduroy blazer - LOFT / Top - The Limited / Flare denim - Lane Bryant /
Clutch - eloquii / Boots - CL by Laundry

Necklace - Modcloth / Earrings - The Limited (?) / Ring - Banana Republic

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?

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.

Carbon Copy

There are couple things going on here. 1) I simply had to have this beautifully designed top* and 2) I pretty much wanted to wear it exactly like this. I didn't do too bad, eh?

Normally, I'd shy away from that much of a close fit all over, but I thought the look was so luxe and so classic that I could not help myself. Besides, the cocoon elbow-length sleeves and perfectly placed ruching along the hips make it easy to feel comfortable in your own skin. Bottom line, though, confidence had to be an important accessory!

Cabaret Cowl Neck Top - Kiyonna / Dark skinnies - Gap / Handbag - Furla (via BBOS) /
Nude pumps - Nine West (via Zappos) 

I duplicated that image right down to the accessories. I loved the look of the necklace plunging down the center of the décolletage, so I was pretty stoked to find similar tassel jewelry at Ruche. (My jewelry go-to, for sure!) Nude heels? Check. (Every shoe wardrobe should include a pair!) My only additions were my fantastic snakeskin bag (which I'm just thinking of buying, by the way) and a big ring in a pop of turquoise. When it ain't broke, you know?

Necklace & earrings - Ruche / Ring - Ruche / Nailolish - "Frankly I Don't Give A-dam" (Sephora by O.P.I.)

The outfit did need to serve a dual purpose, though - work for (a loooong) day, drinks/farewell party for night. Thanks to all that confidence, I thought it was just a bit too sexy for daytime. =) Throw on a camel blazer (also good for covering up any wavering moments of insecurity) and I was good to go.

*The top was purchased with a gift card provided by Kiyonna.

Redux

This Ruche top has quickly become one of my favorite pieces. Ever since the first time I wore it, I've kept coming back to it in my closet, wanting to wear more often than not. So I thought about my initial ideas of how to remix it and opted for this casual version at the first possible opportunity. No better way to face the harsh realities of Monday, methinks.

Blazer - Calvin Klein (via TJ Maxx) / Top - Ruche / Dark skinnies - Gap / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Ring - Ruche

I've really been drawn to the combination of blue and olive lately, so I knew this Calvin Klein blazer of mine would work wonderfully. Cuffed skinny jeans, open toe heels, and a few statement jewelry pieces (the same in the first wearing, actually) complete the look in a way that does justice to the first.

Sad news, though. These favorite Gap skinnes of mine finally wore out and ripped (thank you, thighs), so now I have to go through breaking in a whole new pair. Either that, or figure out how to sew a patch. Or maybe both.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

Heels - Banana Republic

A Rose by Any Other Name

I've been on a screen tee kick lately. Ever since this post by Ariana a couple weeks ago, all I could think about was adding more screen tees to my wardrobe and wearing them with (ponte) pencil skirts as often as possible. (And I have - just, you know, off-blog... =7)

Tresor top - LucieLu / Black blazer - Lane Bryant / Flare jeans - Lane Bryant

But they look fabulous with jeans and a blazer too, especially the best jeans on earth. I'd been eying this particularly fabulous rose print top by LucieLu for awhile, and finally snagged it during her recent sale. (It's still available in a 1X!) The material is so comfy, with super flattering/camouflaging ruching at the bottom. It's a bit long, but the ruching makes the length more or less adjustable. I must admit that I've worn this outfit a few times - once for a quick day trip up to Chicago, once for a dinner date with Bob and again today for a casual day of work. It's certainly become a night-out staple, anyway.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement) / Shoes - "Nacia" (Nine West) / Earrings -  Lane Bryant  (?)

And these shoes! During an earlier Chicago day trip, we stopped into a Nine West and I tried these babies on. I'd been looking for the perfect strappy wedge sandal for a while, so you can imagine my delight when the store not only had them in my desired size (big ol' 11) and color (natural), but that they had them in black and brown too! Oh, and they were 75% off, bringing them to about $25 each. Mine, mine and mine. I even hunted down a minty green one online, I loved them so much. (Yes, you read that right; I now own four pairs of these lovlies.) They comfortably hug my wide feet, and thanks to the wedge they can go a whole day running around. They're definitely my new go-to sandal for whatever warm-weather days we have left and  many a summer season to come.

Neutral Zone

As per usual, I did have to work on Saturday, but happily it was a more casual event, allowing me to dress accordingly. Unusually, perhaps, I didn't have to put much thought into this outfit. Striped tee? Corduroy blazer? Skinny jeans? Wedges? It really can't get any more classically simple and easy to wear.

Corduroy blazer - LOFT - Striped tee - Banana Republic / Skinnies - Gap

So much so, that I cannot think of anything more to say about it. =))

Handbag - Steve Madden (via Endless.com) / Brown cut-out wedges - LOFT

Necklace - Kohl's / Earrings - LOFT

Fool's Gold

I have been wanting to wear this skirt for, oh, over a year. It never fit me as well I would have liked it to, and generally I think an A-line skirt is not my friend; it sat too high on my waist, making it was just much shorter that I would ever wear, and as I result, I never did. But then it dawned on me - tights! Tights were the answer! Granted, I don't think I ever would have considered such an option before dabbling in fashion blogs, but they seemed the perfect solution to my particular sartorial dilemma.

Blazer - NY&Co. / Orange tee- Maurices / Gold cami - LOFT /
Orange floral print skirt - Simply Vera (Kohl's) / Tights in Hunter Green - c/o We Love Colors

These particular tights were sent to me from We Love Colors as a thank you for letting them use one of my blog posts for their style blog, celebrating Ivory Tights Week.* When deciding which color I would pick, I knew I'd finally choose a color to wear with this difficult-to-style skirt. Needless to say, I was thrilled how perfectly they went with together!

The tights, in "Hunter Green," pull out the lovely teal-green shades in the skirt, which has been the most difficult color to find in items to pair with it.. It allowed me to go with more traditional neutral colors on top, while accentuating all the fabulous color the skirt has to offer. I do have to admit, however, that I was afraid the fashion police would come after me for sporting a more fall-like color palate of deep oranges so ostentatiously in spring. Yes, I do sometimes care about such things... (just sometimes, though)...which is why I specifically chose to debut this outfit on April Fool's Day... With the temperature barely getting up to 50, and at often times still cloudy, windy, and wintry, I have been certain that Mother Nature has been playing a few tricks on us! So, take THAT, Mother Nature...

Or something....

Handbag - Steve Madden (via Endless.com) / Brown pumps - Shoe Carnival / Brown belt - Nordstrom (?)

I couldn't really decide between wearing a cream color cardigan and this light beige blazer, but I felt the blazer grew up the otherwise playful tone of the outfit a bit more, and helped to ground all of the outfit's bright colors. It's the same thought behind the round-toe brown pumps and simple brown belt, too. Thanks to the tights, though, it's clear that being a grown up doesn't always have to suck. =))

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - Dress Barn

* These tights were sent to me as a thank-you for being featured in the WLC blog and nothing more. I was not asked to review their tights in any way. These tights are simpy pair no. 10 or so of my ever growing collection (all others purchased with my own hard-earned moola), and I was happy to get to add another!

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!

Toughen Up

I think I'm channeling Erin from Work With What You Got today... =)

Black blazer - Lane Bryant / Blue snakeskin tube top - The Limited / Dark skinnies - Gap /
Black boots - Nine West "Onthemoon" (via Endless)

It's definitely an outfit that's a little outside of the box for me, but it was fun to try something different. I put it together in my head last night, knowing that I'd mostly likely be short on time this morning and I'd have to just go with it even if it didn't work out. (Work with What You Got!) Basically I just wanted to wear my new boots, though, and this is the outfit that sprung forth! The boots themselves have a much rougher edge than I'm used to wearing, too (studs, thicker heel, rounder toe), which is one of the reasons I held off incorporating them into an outfit as long as I did. In fact, they've been sitting in the shipping box for over a week, to possibly be returned... But, having worn them outside of the house, they're mine now! It'll be fun to see how else I can wear them, other than rocker-chic style.

Hmmmmm, envisioning them with a pencil skirt...

How would YOU style these bad boys? 

"Ball and chain" necklace - LOFT / Earrings - NY&Co. (?) / Big-ass black flower ring - The Limited

In other news, I had a rotten day at work. I won't laden you with details, but let's just say today was one of the few days that I did not love my job. And I seriously do love my job...just not today. The silver lining of the day was, well, not only my sweet boyfriend having dinner ready for me when I got home, but coming home to two new (big) rings that I bought on eBay! Pictures forthcoming...

Here's to tomorrow!

Scarf It Down

What a busy day! I can't remember the last time I was so productive in such a short amount of time. Tomorrow (yep, Saturday) is my last day of work before a nice two-week holiday vacation, and since I've been out sick for most of the week, I had lots of catching up do! Top it all off with some lovely coffee klatch with Tania and then oodles of errands, and here I am! Tomorrow will be a verrrry early morning since I'll have to be at work by 7:30am, so we'll see if I get to bed here at a reasonable hour. (Doubtful, night owl that I am.)

Hey, look! A new pose! =7

And another (goofy) one! I had to experiment with angles today, since - sadly - this blazer is kind of boxy on me, and there was no helping it even with a belt. It's just a little too big in the shoulders and long in the arms. Strange, because the other one I have (same size and everything!) fits perfectly!

Blazer - LOFT / White tee - The Limited / Flare-leg jeans - Lane Bryant

This outfit is really all about the scarf, though. Yet another find from Affordable Scarves, I'm smitten with its color palette of grey and purpley-pink. And the print! Gotta love a chain print. (Well, at least I do.) You know, come to think of it, I purchased this scarf precisely to wear with this very blazer. I remember lamenting that I didn't really have a scarf to go with it yet, but really thought one would be the perfect accessory for it. (Duh, since I wear this combo often.) Blazer + scarf = wardrobe magic. And I'm getting better at tying them!

Handbag - Tano "Homemade Cake" in Bordeaux /
Taupe (ankle-length) boots - Laundry by Chinese Laundry (via Famous Footwear)

I kept everything else pretty muted, since I wanted the purple hues to be the star. Add some great jeans, a crisp white tee underneath, big brushed silver earrings, and taupe boots, and you've got yourself an easy, classic outfit. Done and done. Perfect for a busy Friday, methinks.

Chain print scarf - affordablescarves.com / Silver earrings - The Limited (?)