Print Cue

I'm desperately trying to clear out my backlog of all the obviously pre-fall pictures. The green grass and lush trees are sad reminders of a season that no longer is. Well, actually, I really don't mind that autumn is in full force and that the holiday season is well on its way. I just gotta get caught up, is all!

I'd like to think that the color palette of this outfit is inspired by a pimento olive somewhat autumnal, anyway. After falling head-over-heels with this SWAK top (first worn here), I knew I'd need to find layering options for it to be worn in cooler weather. A new infinity scarf in a cheerful print helped pave the way.

Cropped jacket - Maurices / Mia top - SWAK / Jeans - Lane Bryant /
Handbag - Tano / Sandals - Nine West

Ring - Ruche / Scarf - Anthropologie / Earrings - Ruche

That's right, all color cues were taken right from the scarf itself. As it was a new item in my closet, I desperately wanted to wear it, like, immediately, so I set about building an outfit around it. The SWAK top was basically meant to be worn with it, and my oft-worn cropped olive jacket was an equally destined topper. When in doubt, follow the print!

Soft and Fair!

So I tried to write a post last night but 1) I was exhausted from election madness (and work) and 2) it felt odd to simply write about clothes after such a night. (I most certainly didn't want to get into any politics...) Maybe I could have just led with the adorable dresses that the Obama girls were wearing...?

Cuz I felt pretty adorable in this dress...

Whrligig Dress - Velvet (Anthropologie) / Cropped jacket - Maurices /
Sandals - Christian Siriano for Payless

I've actually been dying to wear this dress again for the blog. You can probably tell that it's a rather summery frock, and it was certainly best donned then. Gold sandals and belt always set the dress off nicely, and it happens to be one of those holy grails of summer dresses that are as comfortable as they are flattering. Oh, and it was a thrilling Anthropologie sale score to top all that off. But alas, two summers had passed (and probably at least four wearings) and nary a photograph was taken. So I challenged myself to find a few layering options for slightly cooler (though warm for early October) weather and finally photograph this lovely.

Handbag - Ruche

Dusty purple and olive make such a soft, pretty pairing (it reminds me of a favorite eyeshadow palette, actually), and a cropped jacket was just the thing to add a bit more coverage and casual flair to the look. Add a long necklace, a happy mint handbag and super nude strappy sandals, and I felt like I wouldn't ever have to goodbye to summer.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings -  Maurices

(Illinois Octobers are tricky that way.)

Regalia

Of all the maxi dresses I've recently acquired, this one is my favorite. I liked the fit of its printed cousin so much that I couldn't help trying it on in purple on a subsequent store visit. I nabbed it as quickly the checkout line would let me. The regal, solid color flows over my curves with ease, making me look (and feel) like a tall drink of...grape juice? Welch's grape juice, of course.

Drawstring maxi - Old Navy / Denim jacket - Theory (eBayed) / Sandals - Old Navy

Soft, pretty draping in a rich, vibrant color is always good thing, anyway. Especially when it's as comfortable as this maxi is. I shan't lie: I've worn this outfit at least three more times after these pictures were taken. That's almost, like, daily.

Handbag - Coach (gifted)

I know that I've copped out and topped it with my denim jacket again. It was a cooler day, though, and the denim gave just the right casual vibe I was wanting. Plus, I really love the combination of blue and purple, so much so that I'm now desperately searching for a great navy cardigan. (Yes, believe it or not I don't have one.)

Ring - Ruche (gifted) / Earrings - Anthropologie /
Ginko and Gunmetal necklace - chrdesigns on Etsy

Maxed Out

So about those maxi dresses...yep, still in love. Aside from being the easiest thing to wear this summer, they seem to be just about the most flattering too. I need that these days, fo sho. Continuing my run of good luck at Old Navy, this maxi was one such score. I wasn't sure how flattering the print or drawstring waist would be, but it's just about perfect. So much so that I immediately proceeded to buy the dress in the solid purple color, too - which I like even better. Extra bonus: I got to size down.

Maxi dress - Old Navy / Denim jacket - Theory (eBayed) /
Sandals - Unisa (via Endless.com)

I realize I'm likely contradicting myself by wearing it with just that little denim jacket here... Oh, sure, I'll continue to experiment with other layering options, but I guess I just like what the jacket can do structurally for an otherwise all-over soft, flowy look. When it ain't broke, ya know?

Handbag - Tano / Necklace - Anthropologie / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - gifted

I'm off work today, my friends. We're going up to WI for the weekend to see family, eat great food, drink good drinks, walk along the Sheboygan lakefront (me ol' stompin' grounds), and maybe scare up a bonfire or two. If that's not an ideal summer weekend, I don't know what is.

Rainbow Bright

Neither my usual color palette nor silhouette, I was drawn to this flirty little dress. What's not to love about a wide black waistband, navy scoop neck top, and vibrant, swingy skirt?

For a kid-friendly day of music featuring everything percussion, I figured I could step over a few lines of work-appropriate attire and really play with color for this outfit. Bring on the purple tights! I could have chosen navy instead, but I wanted to bring out more of the colors in the skirt, and this was perfect. I toyed with open toed sandals for the look, but nothing I had really worked. I needed to ground all that color with chunkier footwear, like a wedge or wood sandal, but alas, I had neither. Hmm, what about booties? Though rarely worn and something rather outside of my comfort zone, they seem to have been a pretty perfect option for the outfit.

Dress - Lane Bryant / Denim jacket - Theory (eBayed) / Tights - We Love Colors /
Booties - Payless / Handbag -  Urban Outfitters

The dress sleeves themselves are actually quite cute; a short sleeve with ruching on the top makes for something very easy to wear alone. And I could have - it eventually became warm enough outside to warrant it. (Yay for the return of outdoor pictures! My goofy facial expression simply belies a casual frustration with the shade/sun ratio at my usual photo location....) But, as always, I felt myself wanting an extra layer. Casual, easy - a shrunken, cropped denim jacket it was.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - LOFT / Nail polish  - Haute as Hello (Essie)

How else I can possibly wear this dress, I really don't know. Bottom line, I definitely prefer tights with it - it is just too short on me and I know I won't wear it otherwise. Considering that it's a spring/summer frock, this is quite the conundrum...

Interpretations

Today's outfit is taken from Kimberly's March Outfit Inspiration calendar, albeit a week early... After she had posted the calendar, and specifically this image of some fabulous Anthropologie pieces featuring a maxi skirt and mixed patterns, I immediately thought of a striped maxi dress I had recently acquired from Maurices. Taking advantage of the 70 degree weather and a casual performance-less week, I thought I would try to style it similarly today!

Striped maxi dress - Maurices / Military cropped jacket - Maurices / Belt - LOFT / Blue cut-out wedges - LOFT

Since it's a dress rather than a skirt, I obviously wasn't able to wear a top and mix patterns, but I do appreciate how the lace neckline is able to achieve a similar purpose. Like the original, I accessorized with a belt to break up the stripes, one that I could wear lower on my hips (kinda) and could angle a bit. My military-inspired cropped jacket topped it off nicely - I'm loving the grey and olive together here.

I do like how the blues and greens play together in the original, so I chose my blue Tano and navy cut-out wedges to add that particular hue. I could have also worn a sporty blue zip-up instead (I don't really have a blazer like the one pictured), which I might do for another wearing, but I really wanted to pair my military topper with this time around. All in all, I think I did okay!

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa" in Blue Marine

As you can probably tell, it was pretty darn windy when I was taking these pictures. Hey, my own wind machine! (I liked the effect, obviously.) But, it had plummeted 15 degrees within a hour, so once again my lakeside pictures were postponed for another day. My brick background on my porch is growing on me, though, despite the fact that it is sooooooooo easy to tell when my camera is crooked. You'll have to forgive me for that one today, please - it had gotten so chilly so fast that I rushed through the shoot!

Ring - The Limited / Necklace - Kohl's / Earrings - LOFT

Zip Her

White cropped jacket - Maurices / Green empire waist lattice neck top - Maurices /
Grey ponte pencil skirt - Chloe Dao (eBayed)

Springtime is in the air, folks. Or at least that's what I keep telling myself - by means of a grassy green top, short sleeves, a trench coat, and going without tights. My (unshaven) knees got a bit chilly today, I must admit... But if it's sunny out these days, I basically have to fight the urge to wear sandals!

Handbag - Tano "Boogie Bucket" in Grape / Belt - Old Navy / Boots - Ciao Bella (via DSW)

I pretty much love this skirt though. I had been looking for a casual grey pencil skirt (you know me and a pencil skirt) and I was gravitating towards a ponte knit. Wouldn't it figure that I saw a full stock of them a few months ago at a Lane Bryant Outlet, but I wasn't in the market for one at the time. And now? Nothing. Anywhere. So I resorted to eBay, and I found this interesting number with a full exposed zip in the back! I hesitated at first - I prefer basics, really - but then I decided to dive right in. I'm glad I did - it's so darn unexpected and unique! The zipper can get just a bit cold on the behind, is all...

Also a good side view of my oft-remarked (and totally bump-it-less) poof and my awesome new highlights

In other news, we're apartment hunting. Since we're a one-car household, we want to move closer to campus (where I work) so I can more easily bike/walk/bus. We also want to downsize a bit and decrease living expenses. I've gotten a few leads, but I'm really not looking forward to the whole process. I actually used to enjoy it all (I once kept an annotated and hyperlinked spreadsheet of 50+ possible locations and would plot floor plans on graph paper...) but now it's just stressful, time consuming, and full of dead ends. Maybe I'm too picky, I dunno. Alls I know is I want the perfect place, with ample storage, clean walls and carpets, good light, a spacious floorplan, a reputable landlord, and a decent neighborhood to fall right into my lap. Is that too much to ask (in a campus town)?!? Yeah, I thought so too... Blurg. Wish me luck!

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - LOFT

Respite

Today I celebrate the return of open-toed sandals! The snow is melting rapidly, the temperature hit above 60 today, and it is light out well after 5pm. Hoorah! But I'm no fool - a Midwestern February is one rotten trickster. So, I will just celebrate these past few days as what they are - a sweet respite from the ache of this frigid winter. And I do so in light summery colors, thin fabrics, and open-toed sandals, of course. With or without a pedicure (however needed...) =P

Cropped jacket - Dress Barn / Ruffled top - New York & Co. / Flare leg denim - Lane Bryant / Open-toed wedges - LOFT

I'm also enjoying this week's respite from busy evenings at work. It's been so nice working a regular day (even though they've been pretty busy themselves), with evenings to myself and Bob, spending happy hour with friends, watching TV's guilty pleasures, running to the mall for fab clearance finds (to be worn next week!), giving myself manicures, and getting to wear jeans that make me feel simply fabulous.

But on the other hand, and call me crazy, I look forward to those busy nights again, not only because I love the energy and sense of occasion, but to get to dressed up! And, of course, they will return sooner than later. =)

Handbag - Steve Madden (via Endless.com)

Turquoise Ring - Banana Republic / Turquoise earrings - Dress Barn

Cropped Rotation

Ever heard of Casual Tuesday? No? Oh well. Today was Casual Tuesday for me. Tomorrow will be Casual Wednesday, etc. and so on. I can't believe what a light week I have ahead of me! I could get used to this... (Probably shouldn't though!)

Olive cropped jacket - Maurices / Burgundy sequin bib top - LOFT / Flare leg denim - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Laundry by Chinese Laundry (Famous Footwear)

I've worn a variation of this outfit before, and it was the need to change into a more casual outfit later that night that beget the version I've (re-)worn today. I didn't blog about the change that night, but I was certainly excited to wear/blog about it again! No better time than Casual Tuesday, eh? I would have NEVER thought to wear the top and jacket together, but I'm pretty much in love with the combinations of olive and burgundy, sequins and military.

This cropped military jacket has definitely become a wardrobe workhorse for me, though. Whenever I need a casual topper, this is probably my most grabbed item.

Earrings - Dress Barn

You'll notice some new lighting! I pulled a floor lamp out of the office in the living room to balance the already existing light. My face is definitely more in focus, but hello whitewash! Back to the light source drawing board, at least until outside pictures become an option again!

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)

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.

Inertia

You know those days when you don't realize how exhausted you are until you stop moving? Yeah, that was today. I gotta say, though, I like a day where 9 hours go by in a blink of a eye, even if I spent most of it running around. I got my work-out today, that's for sure! (Er, something I definitely need more of...)

Black and white checkered jacket - The Limited / Floral cardigan - LOFT /
Ivory camisole - LOFT / Turquoise skinny belt - The Limited / Black wide-leg pants - NY&Co. /  Black ankle length boots - Laundry by Chinese Laundry

As today was a super early morning for me (I rarely see this side of 7am for anything), I knew 1) my hair was going to go up, 2) I was going to need a latte (after I picked up bagels for my staff) and 3) I needed to find an (good) outfit the night before. And this was it! I'm really pleased with this remix of mine. What I like most about it is the pattern mixing/layering of the jacket and the cardigan, both of which, when worn separately, have significantly less pizazz. The pairing just adds so much more texture and depth to a potentially boring black pants ensemble. I added the belt for just a little more color to tie it all together (literally and figuratively, really).

My only regret - my shoe choice. Nine hours of running around calls for a much more comfortable pair of shoes, or at least a pair with Footpetals inserts. These boots were a failure on both counts, even though they were the right height and silhouette for the paints. Gotta pick your battles, eh?

Outtake! I should do more of these. Shoot, it's new pose, for cryin' out loud...

Re: the latte - I got it for free! The Starbucks barista (manager, actually), with whom I used to work at Banana Republic back in the day, not only recognized my voice through the drive-thru speaker, but told me the latte was on him today. You rock, Jason! Totally made my day. That, and my fabulous, fantastic, funny and hard-working staff that helped make an otherwise hard day of work relatively easy. Garsh, I'm all warm and fuzzy inside now.

I also just watched WALL-E so that might have had something to do with it, too. =)

Necklace and Earrings - LOFT

It's barely started to sink in that I have two weeks of holiday vacation bliss now ahead of me. What to do with myself? I think I'll wrap presents...