Resuscitation

A new school year - and a new season - will begin in a blink of an eye. I already begin interviews at the end of this week, and new hire paperwork, training sessions galore and all manner of management bliss will swallow me up and spit me out in just a matter of weeks. Full weekends off and evening meals at home will decrease...coffee intake will increase...emails will multiply...sleep will diminish... Summer.Is.Over.

Handbag - DKNY (via TJ Maxx)

But there's good news! Yes, yes, there is! I get to dress up more! I will emerge from my office-cave and glow under the gleam of evening lights! The excitement and anticipation of every event will energize and inspire me, and my staff will never fail to entertain me! AND IT'S ALMOST FALL! LAYERS, SWEATERS AND BOOTS RETURN! Pencil skirts! Pretty tops! Cardigans! Pumps! Statement necklaces! All come out of hiding! HUZZAH! Seriously, friends. My summers are about the most sartorially uninspiring season there is...

Cardigan - LOFT / Betsey Ruched Dress - c/o Kiyonna / Ankle-strap wedges - Bandolino

So I return to form by returning to my form - belted cardigan and curve-hugging silhouettes. And polka-dots! Kiyonna's fan (and my) favorite Betsey Ruched Dress in Pin Up Polka Dot, to be exact. Truth be told, I've been holding on this dress since, oh, June - when I wanted to wear it for Bob's birthday only to be slapped in the face by the fact that I had gained too much weight for it to fit properly. I'm less only a few pounds these days, but such is my summer that I've really had no reason to wear it since!

Belt - eloquii

A few things came to mind in terms of a solution. First, I figured I needed to find a way to make this dress work-appropriate anyway. (Special occasions are too few and far between to be able to break out this baby!) Happily, its classic dotted pattern makes it a great candidate for such a transition. Second, as curve-hugging as this dress is also why it's somewhat difficult to rock out when you're up a few pounds. (Yep, even with Spanx.) I felt an added layer would help camouflage and detract from problem areas. What better solution than a colorful cardigan? I've nearly always had it in my head to wear the dress with teal or turquoise (fact: I purchased the earrings I'm wearing expressly for the dress), so my teal cardi was just the thing. Of course, the wonderful respite of mild 70° weather we've been having made such layers feasible go begin with.

I did want to tone down the sex-kitten vibe just a bit more with simpler wedges and minimal jewelry. But I couldn't resist a teal-green snake print belt to add more spunk.

Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Banana Republic

Yes, it's true. My spunk has been resuscitated....

To the Max

You may remember a certain fabulous dotted wrap dress, which was a surprising fitting-room winner over a similarly dotted maxi dress I really wanted but whose fit was off. Well, fate would have it that, on a recent return trip to Gap, a size smaller was available in said maxi AND it was on sale. And it turns out that all I needed to solve said fit issues was a smaller size... Who knew!?

Maxi dress - Gap / Blue cami - LOFT / Instant Sleeves in Dove - LucieLu / Wedges - LOFT

I have to work up the courage to wear it with bare arms, it seems. Cue instant sleeves! I really wish they'd come in a blue, ivory or white, though. Then I could, like, wear them with anything. I guess light grey will do. Maybe a denim jacket for next time. Or a cute little scoop neck tee in some color?

Ah, the best part of a maxi dress - the twirling!

But hey, guys, I've reached 200 followers! Yippee! I'm planning to host a giveaway in the next week or so to celebrate, so stay tuned! And thanks to all my readers, old and new, and however you "follow" this sonsy blog o' mine. This little corner of the interwebs has become a cherished placed to share ideas, obsessions, mistakes, successes - myself. So, thanks. =)

Ring - Ruche (gifted) / Earrings - Ruche / Necklace - Banana Republic /
Nailpolish - Tart Deco (Essie)

Tight End

I'm kind of glad I was never able to get rid of this top. It's been hanging in my closet since January, an international purchase (via Dorothy Perkins) whose return or exchange would have been more trouble than it was worth. I wasn't convinced it was a good item for me (and my large bust), and the few ways I had in mind to wear it didn't look as good as I would have liked. But I really did love it and had hoped I'd shed a few pounds and could eventually wear it - or at least find a way to get away with wearing it.

Top - Dorothy Perkins / Black pencil skirt - Simply Be / Peep-toes - Payless 

Well, I sure haven't shed those pounds, but I really loved how it tucked into this simple, form-fitting black pencil skirt. And even better, I really loved it with this fantastic necklace. (If you're keeping track, this is outfit #3 for the necklace! I'm on a roll!) So tight sleeves and chest be damned! Statement necklace and pencil skirt saves the day!

Clutch - eloquii

(Or so I'd like to think. =P)

Necklace - Modcloth (gifted) / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant /
Nails - Re-fresh Mint (China Glaze)

Melrose Place

As you may recall, I've been on the hunt for a coral pencil skirt and, as you can see, I've found it!

Man, it took some doing, though. J.Crew has one, of course, but at 22" the length was not going to work. It's 24" or bust for me - and I prefer 25" or more if I can find it. Fortunately, with the midi trend all a-blaze, it's become much easier to find those longer lengths, especially where the more colorful choices are concerned. (I think I need to get my hands on this bright yellow skirt from eloquii next!) I will say that this is my 4th attempt at a good coral pencil skirt, however. First was a peach one from ASOS (too small), then Talbots (too big, and non-returnable - boo hiss), then Macy's/Charter Club (in this style, but too small in their straight sizes), and finally - once I realized they offered it - this one it its plus sizing. Fourth time's a charm? It's a little darker than I would have liked, but the fit is great and the length is ideal, so no complaints from me!

Melrose Mesh Top - c/o Kiyonna / Pencil Skirt - Charter Club (Macy's) /
Heels - Nine West (via 6pm.com)

This outfit is therefore over a month in the making. Kiyonna sent me this polka-dotted delight a few weeks ago, and I had immediately envisioned it with a coral pencil skirt. (Actually, I envisioned it with my coral ankle pants, but I haven't been brave enough to work that look just yet.) Now that I finally have the skirt, I can envision it with lots of things, but I couldn't wait to finally wear this top!

Kiyonna has called it the Melrose Mesh Top, but I think they should rename it the Joan Holloway Top. If this isn't her silhouette, I don't know what is. I mean, everything - right down to the foldover neckline, pussybow tie, elbow-length sleeves... How the top showcases the girls but doesn't reveal them... Sure, I tend to dress in Joan's silhouette more often than not (and one of the ladies at work has nicknamed me "Joan" on account of it), but I felt like this top walked right out of a Mad Men episode.

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - Banana Republic /
Nailpolish - Haute as Hello (Essie)

Of course, if you are at all a fan of Kiyonna, you might also recognize that this top clearly takes its inspiration from the brand's famed Betsey Ruched Dress. As one of my own favorite dresses, I was thrilled that they made a version I could get more mileage out of. Jeans, skirts, ankle pants (just screaming 60s vamp to me) - bring it. It is extremely figure-flattering thanks to all that ruching, but it does run a full size small. I find that very odd since my usual 1x in the Betsey fit perfectly, but there's something about the material in this one that - whoa - makes it TINY. Sizing up was all I needed to do, so be advised! And now I badly want the top in royal blue too...

Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

Better Than Average

I continue to be mildly obsessed with coral. Coral shoes, coral pants, coral pencil skirt (on its way), coral nail polish... I know the color of the season has been mint, which I haven't been able to get my hands on in anything but some fabulous nail polishes, so maybe shades of the color of the year have had better luck with me.

Cardigan - LOFT / Polka dot top - H&M / Camisole - Anthropologie /
Coral ankle pants - Talbots / Handbag - DKNY (via  TJMaxx) / Wedges - LOFT

I'm still a little self-conscious in these pants, though. However, the more I wear them, the less potent that is. And I do like having some colored pants in my arsenal. Aside from them being such a huge trend, it's a great way to get some mileage out of my otherwise well-worn tops. And to think that, after my first wearing, I wasn't going to be able to find much use for them!

I also like how these - and any ankle pants, I think (my black pair is really my only other) - helps me hit all the right notes with casual dressing. There's something about ankle pants that says you've put thought into the outfit but don't wish to overdo it. Yes, it's a day at work and you want to be noticed, but there's nothing special going on. It's an average day, but you just wanted to do one better.

Ring - Banana Republic / Belt - eloquii / Necklace - Banana Republic /
Earrings - Banana  Republic

I clearly need to get more!

Spring for Dots

My one non-sale rack find that was still on sale. (What, now?)

I tried to contain myself only to those additional 25% off sale sections during my recent shopping trip to the Gap, especially since I was only supposed to be there to return something. But what should jump out at me but (practically) a flashing sign for 30% off dresses, and even more so, their amazingly vibrant colors and prints for spring and summer. A dotted maxi dress, just like this wrap dress but in burgundy and orange (which doesn't seem to be available online at the moment), was fitting room priority #1. I loved the colors, but the fit was off, and I knew that wearing the right bra would be problematic. Still loving the dots in green and blue (a combination I'm really loving lately), I eagerly tried the wrap. I was floored by this one! I'm always a lover of wrap dresses, and the fact that this one even fit my bust well shocked me - not to mention that it had longer sleeves AND a longer hemline. AT THE GAP. I'll not lie, either, that the fact I could still wear the large made me feel good too.

Dress - Gap / Cami (not that it was really needed) - Anthropologie / Sandals - Payless

Naturally, I thought my coral sandals would be fabulous with these colors (as it did with this outfit), but sadly, the shape of the sandal was not quite right with the dress. So I went with my trusty neutral caged sandals (I call them the "Kendi" since she rocked them practically all last summer) and punched up more color with other accessories and my pedicure. Gotta get those corals in there somewhere...

Handbag - Steve Madden

Also, please note the even awesomer (if I do say so myself) coif today. I'm learning to wield the full power of the round brush, and hot damn! It looks JUST like it does after my hairstylist has had his way with me (er, my hair) in his chair, which I've never been able to replicate at home. A $40 blowout for only $17? Yep, this means I will certainly be wearing my hair down waaaaaay more often.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Earrings - Lane Bryant

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)

The Swing of Things

And just like that, the holidays - and vacation - are over. Such a hard realization to wake up to (especially when it requires a 3 hour adjustment in sleeping hours), but believe it or not, I think I'm ready to get back into the swing of things. Yesterday's extra day off sure did help, though.

Blouse - H&M / Black cami - LOFT / Ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Tights - LOFT /
Black booties - Payless / Pink belt - Talbots / Clutch - ASOS

Though I didn't get much in the way of apartment projects done over the much-needed break, we had a good balance of family time, celebration and relaxation. Holiday dressing was some of my favorite this year, but ample time was spent lounging in comfies, too. There was lots of movie watching, peppermint white mochas, sleeping very late, and a general ability to keep up with life, even for a little bit. Holiday decor will come down over the weekend (I abide by the 12 days of Christmas and keep everything up until January 6th), and as always, I'll be sad to put away all that color and light. I might still have to burn my balsam and cedar candles, though. Ahhhhh...

As for the outfit, polka dots, a comfy ponte pencil skirt and a hot pink belt for a needed pop of color (and Black Bomber Bird for a needed pop of humor) seemed like a good way to start the week, one which will be unseasonably busy. Nothing like having to dive right in.

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Earrings - Maurices

Let's Polka

There isn't an H&M near me, so I don't get to shop there very often. The few times I had been able to pop into a store, I never found much of anything than interested me - always a total bust. Well, recently one my of my employees started a lengthy stint of seemingly wearing nothing but H&M, and I coveted loved all of it. Seriously, every outfit she wore, I would ask, "Hey, where did you get that?" and "H&M!" would always be the answer. Solution: must get to H&M ASAP. Happily, there was one near Bob's parent's house when we visited over the holiday...

Black blazer - Lane Bryant / Polka dot top - H&M / Jeans - Lane Bryant /
Shoes - Nine West /Belt - Talbots

This polka dot top might have been the exact same polka dot top she had sported so amazingly one day. I might have found the lone one (in my size!) in the fitting room returns and it might have been on sale. And I might have bought it. Or definitely. Obvi.

I thought I'd venture out of my usual pencil skirt routine and wear it layered under a blazer with jeans. Peachy pops of color (wearing the same new and totally fabulous necklace I wore yesterday) gave it a little something extra. Not that it needed it - I mean, they're polka dots, for goodness sake! I like to think of them as stripes' spunky little sister.

Handbag - Coach (gifted) / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - The Limited / Necklace - Anthropologie