All Wrapped Up

I will forever be grateful for the wrap silhouette, whether top or dress. As I wage war with my midlife midsection, and find that so many of the pieces and styles of clothing in my closet do not currently fit me, I know I can always rely on the wrap. It's like the best friend of clothing, or something.

Laila Wrap top - c/o Kiyonna / Suede pencil skirt - Queen Grace /
Half-cami - Coobie (via HerRoom.com) / Shoes - Calvin Klein Kendall (via 6pm.com)

I have many wrap dresses in my arsenal already, but not many wrap tops. I'm always in the market for flattering, feminine separates, so I've been lusting after the Laila Wrap Top from Kiyonna for a while now. I tried the block and white polka dot from Gwynnie Bee over the summer, but since I didn't have anywhere to wear it at the time, I sent it back. But love it, I did. When it came out in this bold magenta hue I knew it would have to find a place in my closet, and Kiyonna was so kind to send it to me! One of my favorite features about it is how great it looks with both pencil skirt and pants or jeans. I've found that most Kiyonna tops are too long on me to look good with my beloved pencil skirts, but the asymmetry of the top combined with the feminine flounces helps to balance out those proportions. The berry hue paired perfectly with this relatively new brown pencil of mine, all of which happily proclaimed autumn to me. Most importantly, however, it was just the thing to camouflage my problematic belly in a way that is still me.

Handbag - Steve Madden (via TJ Maxx) / Necklace - Urban Outfitters (old) / Ring - Banana Republic (old) / Earrings - Ruche (old)

And I'm definitely fighting with my personal style right now. It's one of the main reasons I've been struggling with my posts theses days. All of the things I love to wear are not working on me as well as they used to. Facing the fact that my body shape has changed has been a tough pill to swallow, my friends. And I can't even say I've swallowed it yet - choking on it, is more likely. I'm in new territory, and short of a miracle drug, it's gonna take me a bit to figure this one out.

In the meantime, I am ever-so-grateful for silhouettes that stand the test of time (and body shape)!

Side of Eggplant

What better way to end the night than with a little blogging, tea and The Holiday? Now if only it was snowing outside and I had hot chocolate. (Instead, it's a balmy 63 degrees and windy. I neither understand nor like this weather.)

I'm so glad that I decided to splurge on these (sale) tops from Anthropologie. They're just the kind of pieces I like to have in my wardrobe: unique, feminine and flattering. I first wore this top with my favorite jeans (not yet blogged), which itself has become one of my go-to night-out outfits, but I love it just as much with a pencil skirt. Come to think of it, imma wear it again with jeans this week.

Side-Gathered Cowlneck - Anthropologie / Pencil skirt - eloquii / Shoes - Nine West

At first, I was worried I didn't have a good pencil skirt pairing for the top as I did for its sister, in part because there weren't as many colors to work with this time. I hesitated against browns or tans for fear of blandness, but once paired with the brown, I realized I had just the pair of shoes to draw out all the lovely purpley eggplant tones. (Oddly, the Anthro description once again calls this colorway gray. It's just not so!) And I sure do loves me some purple.

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - Lane Bryant / Nails - Essie "Wicked" (via Ulta)

This was the outfit I wore for my guest lecturer stint last month, by the way. I just knew the outfit I wore needed to involve a pencil skirt, the one article of clothing I always feel confidently myself in. The modest coverage of the top was a plus, but the overall look was exactly what I wanted - eye-catching, but not overwhelming. A successful day in the classroom all around.

Handbag - Tano

Top Marks

It's so lovely to finally be on vacation! One whole glorious week to get a few things done around the apartment and travel to WI to spend the Thanksgiving holiday with family. Of course, when I think about the fact that I won't actually be home for the whole week, I start to panic about all the things I want to get done. I guess just a little less mindless lounging should be my goal. =)

Ring - LOFT / Belt - LOFT / Earrings - Lane Bryant Outlet /
Nails - Essie "Recessionista" (via Ulta)

I first wore this outfit a few weeks ago for a low-key Saturday work day, only Instagramming the outfit to earmark it for a second wearing. I simply loved the combination of the leopard print top and the burgundy belt with, shocking as it was, pants!

I'm always an advocate for belting blousy tops, of course, but the proportions of the longer top made the accessory practically a necessity. And a burgundy one was just the thing. It was actually this first combination of burgundy and leopard that planted the obsession for my favorite fall outfit ideas!

Blouse - Lane Bryant / Pants - NY&Co. / Sandals - Nine West

You don't seem many pants on this blog, though, do ya? Once in a while I'm able to style a pair in a way in which they actually look good on me, but usually they just don't work. (And they never photograph well. Cue strategic cropping.) Basically it's just because I've yet to find a pair that actually fits well; it's probably time to dedicate some time to the hunt, eh? Well, until then, a fabulous leopard-print blouse that hits past the hips/crotch area will conceal all the usual misdeeds of an ill-fitting trouser.

Handbag - Tano

Fine Wine

You'll never guess what I'm doing at this hour! That's right, giving in to my insomnia, watching LOTR, and painting my nails. I am OB.SESSED with all things burgundy/oxblood/cabernet/whathaveyou these days. It's always a great color for fall, but the trends have eaten the color right up and with it tons of great things to lust after. Recently acquired: this burgundy cabernet cardigan from LOFT, the best nail color EVAH (Essie "Recessionista"), beautiful burgundy suede pumps and a burgundy oxblood peplum top from ASOS Curve. I think I'm covered for the season, no? =)

Cardigan - LOFT / Camisole - eloquii / Pencil skirt - Dorothy Perkins

LOFT cardigans are just about the best out there. They change details from season to season, but I can always rely on them to fit well and be just the thing to round out my wardrobe. I was kind of shocked I didn't have a cardigan in this color, but thanks to a $25 cardigan sale, I didn't have to put forth much effort (or moola) to make it happen.

 Brown pumps- Christian Siriano for Payless / Handbag - Tano

I've also decided I'm in love the combination of animal print and burgundy. I wore an outfit, as of yet only Instagrammed, with a great new animal print top, brown pants (!!!) and - just the thing - a slim burgundy belt. I loved the look and decided I need to do the combination as often as possible. (I'll be sure to wear/post that outfit again soon!)

And what better canvas than a pencil skirt and cardi, eh? Nope, nothing better.

Necklace - LOFT / Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - Lane Bryant /
Nails - "Wicked" by Essie (via Ulta)

Mileage

I hope you don't mind that I took a few days off there. Commencement weekend left me exhausted in mind, body and soul. I've taken off a few days from work too, so being unplugged from the world for a few days has been a nice reprieve.

But believe it or not, I managed to take pictures of two of my outfits from the weekend! Friday night was easy since I had the afternoon to do so; Saturday - out of the house by 6:15am and not back until 11pm - was impossible (I just re-wore this comfortably cute outfit anyway); and Sunday will be shared tomorrow!

Ponte dress - Dorothy Perkins / Instant Sleeves - LucieLu
Sandals - Nine West (via Endless) 

The outfits I wore needed to be comfortable, breathable, beltable (so I had something to clip my radio onto), and something I could just feel good in, ya know? I thought this ponte dress was a good candidate for all of that. I tried a few different accessories from the first wearing of the dress, and I added my LucieLu Instant Sleeves in Mocha to add a second color and a little more arm coverage.

Handbag - Banana Republic / Belt - Lane Bryant

I'm doing a lot with brown and greens, though, aren't I? And, like, all different tones of them. I think it mostly works, but I confess all I really care about is that I got to wear this necklace again. And the shoes... Yes, believe it or not, I really was able to run around for about 4 hours in the them! How's that for shoe mileage?

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

Say What?

I wasn't even sure I was going to be able to have a post for you today because, to our horror, we were visited by a garter snake IN OUR APARTMENT last night. There it was, slithering across the carpet while Bob and I watched TV. (The image is now forever burned into my mind.) Ever resourceful (but after too long a pause as we were momentarily paralyzed by shock and fear), Bob grabbed the nearest empty shoe box and went on the hunt. Apparently my uncontrollable shrieks at any power cord or belt in the apartment was not helping the search, though, so he made me leave the apartment while tried to catch it. (I mean, how would YOU respond??) After thirty minutes of trying to cajole it out of a corner ("Snakes are sneaky," said Bob), he did successfully capture the snake and released it outside somewhere down the block. We hope it's just an isolated occurrence, but you better believe we've got our landlord on the task of making sure this never happens again. I'm pretty sure the only reason I was able to write this post last night was because I couldn't fall asleep anyway...

Majestic Glow Curvy Plus Top - Ruche / Pencil skirt - eloquii /
Sandals - Nine West (via Endless)

How on earth does one segue from that into talking about clothes?

Thankfully, these are pretty clothes. I just love this top. My daily stalking of Ruche's new arrivals paid off with this one. I adore the colorful painterly floral print, with square neckline and dainty little waist tie. Seriously, a no brainer - perfect for summer. I love it with a pencil skirt, naturally - and I've even kept the tie for a pretty blue accent at the waist - but I'll also happily pair this with white crops or denim skinnies, too.

Clutch - eloquii

I can't get over how perfectly this necklace matches the top, either. Or my new green sandals (which have clearly given my coral ones a much-needed break). How often does that happen with such vibrant colors?? Usually one might have to settle for neutrals, but not this time! Nope, no settling here.

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Ruche / Necklace - Anthropologie

(And not even the heebie-jeebies have settled down yet...)

Blog and Learn

This outfit is brought to you by more leopard and teal! I had forgotten about his top in my small arsenal of teal choices, so I thought I'd take it out for a spin.

Top - The Limited / Skirt - Banana Republic (thrifted) / Belt - Old Navy /
Heels - Christian Siriano for Payless / Clutch - eloquii

I liked it the last time I had belted it, but this iteration doesn't quite do it for me. There's something about the top's proportions that just don't lend itself well to belting with contrasts, at least on this short-waisted bod of mine. In fact, I removed the belt - the lone leopard print - near the end of the night. In hindsight, I would have done without the belt (or the with the same tone-on-tone belt as last time) and worn my perfect leopard print heels instead. Oh well, that's why I blog, I guess: Take pictures and learn!

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

Dots and Stripes Forever

There's a lot going on here, I know. Stripes, dots and animal print! Black and brown! I had two conflicting thoughts about this outfit: Obey Chanel's maxim to take off the last thing you put on (which would have been the belt), or challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone and just work it. I'm not totally convinced that it's not too much, but I'm proud of myself for sticking with it. I gotta say, though, I do quite like the mix of browns and blacks.

Striped top - Dorothy Perkins / Black ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Scarf - Dorothy Perkins / Belt - Old Navy / Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted)

It all comes down to the fact that I really, really wanted to wear this scarf. Another Dorothy Perkins snood (just a Britishism for infinity scarf, methinks), the butterscotch brown and black dots make it somewhat hard to wear - I almost wish the dots were navy. But that's why I embraced the combination of colors in the scarf and mixed all those prints in the same color family. I like how the browns are on are the lighter side - more caramel than chocolate - which makes for a better contrast with black.

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa"

Mmm, now I want caramels...

Ring - The Limited / Earrings - LOFT

I always love how turquoise looks with brown, so it was an obvious choice for a little extra color against all these dark neutrals. Shoot, I kinda wish I had a turquoise belt now! It's always something, isn't it...

Shopping Math

You know when there's one item you like at on online store but a) you're not sure of your size, b) you have to spend x dollars to get free shipping (and you refuse to pay for shipping) and c) everything is 40%? This means you have to spend y dollars before discount to get to x dollars for free shipping. And all you wanted was that one item. So you browse online for a bit and find 20 other items you kinda want (and certainly don't need), finally whittled down to a handful of items to get as close to y as possible. This includes getting two sizes of the initial item to make sure you get the size that works best, with the intention to return the sizes that don't, of course. (Bonus: you'll end up spending less than x in the end, while still getting free shipping! Woot!) Yeah, that's how this sweater happened.

Cardigan - LOFT / Tank - Anthropologie / Pencil skirt - Eloquii / Belt - LOFT /
Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement ) / Platform pumps - Kelsi Dagger "Linzy" (via Piperlime)

I mainly wanted this adorable printed tee from the LOFT (and this one too), but then I found this dreamy cardigan whilst browsing. I loves me some LOFT cardigans. I'm 99.2% positive that all cardigans in my closet are from the LOFT. (Er, actually a few are from Banana Republic, so nevermind.) I secretly hoped I wouldn't love it so I could return it, but it was the perfect blue polka-dotted delight with cute little bronze buttons... Oh well, my cardigans needed an update anyway.

Thus it should come as no surprise that I paired it with a pencil skirt for its first outing. And not just any pencil skirt, but my other recently acquired Eloquii pencil skirt that I now also adore. I wanted to belt it with a grey lizard skinny belt, but I couldn't find it anywhere, so regular ol' white it was. Avoiding matchy-matchiness further with shoe choice, I opted for these amazing mushroom patent platforms...even though they are completely impractical in my workplace. Birthday dinner, yes. Sitting at my desk, yes. Speed walking from one end of the lobby to the other, no. This makes me quite sad. Why can't I indulge in 5" platforms like everyone else?!?

I guess that's what this blog is for. =)

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - Lia Sophia (bridesmaid's gift) / Earrings - Kohl's (anniversary gift)

Easy Breezy

There are few things easier to wear than a printed wrap dress, methinks.

I picked up this LucieLu dress at Boutique Larrieux, a wonderful plus-sized boutique I found - next to an Anthroplogie, of all things - in Milwaukee's Third Ward. I've come to know and love a number of LucieLu pieces already, so I was tickled pink to be able to see and try on - in person, for once - these and many other plus-sized brands I've only been able to peruse online. I was the only person in the shop at the time, so I got all the attention of the eager and helpful sales associate. Though they had lots of holiday attire (noted!), I wasn't in the market, so I focused my attenion on seperates and casual dresses. This dress, the Sativa, fit all those bills so nicely that I happily walked out of the store with it - and at 20% off!

Sativa dress - LucieLu (via Boutique Larrieux) / Brown lace camisole - Banana Republic

As most wrap dresses on me do, this one showed a little too much cleavage, but it was nothing a nice little lace camisole couldn't fix. The SA tipped me off to a strange sizing issue with LucieLu dresses, too. Online the sizes are marked as the usual 1x (14/16), 2x (18/20), and so on, but they apparently fit more like a 12/14, 16/18, etc.. In short, they run SMALL! The shop even marks the dresses with the revised sizes, which I did appreciate. Oh-so-happy to actually be able to try the stuff on, I sized up to the 2x. Case in point of fit being more important that an arbitrary size!

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I also loved the colors of it much more in person than I did when I first saw it online, where the colors look drab and lifeless. In reality the colors are a subdued but pretty combination of browns, tans, and powder blues. (Another win for in-store shopping!) There's a tie-die feel about it, certainly, but it looks more like an abstract print of florals to me. The best part, though - besides the perfect below-the-knee length and elbow sleeves - is that the material is a cozy cotton jersey. It's practically a pajama dress, people!

Necklace & earrings - LOFT / Ring -  Lane Bryant / Shoes - Payless

So comfortable, so easy - and caught in all the right ways by the day's relentless wind. Even if my my hair wasn't...