Ladies Who Lunch

Before I inundate you with more maxi dresses, I thought I'd offer a bit of respite with, oh I dunno, a pencil skirt. I figure it's been a little bit you've seen me in one, anyway.

Lunch at My Place top - Modcloth / Pencil skirt - Macy's (Charter Club) /
Sandals - Christian Siriano for Payless / Handbag - Banana Republic /
Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant

Alas, pencil skirts are not quite the thing for work these days. Just a little too dressy for the likes of the casual, quiet days in my cave of an office. But throw in a midweek, midday reception, and I've got a reason to don one. Especially when it's practically a duplicate of this favorite pencil skirt/embellished tee ensemble. (Just a difference in colors - and at least 5 pounds...) Here's the kicker: the ivory version of the tee was purchased at Ruche for $33; the blue version was purchased at Modcloth for $25. Same designer. Things that make you go hmmmm.... And thanks to reader Liv who recommended these nude sandals from Payless! Cute, comfy and just the look I've been after.

Happy Friday, everyone! Bob's birthday is this weekend, and it will be filled with lots of cute outfits and delectable dining. Oh the pictures I'll have to share with you next week! I hope to have a Weight Watchers update, as well - all good things. =)

May Day

You can expect to see a lot of this pencil skirt throughout the spring and summer. I can't wait to wear all manner of tops with it, from dressy to casual. Such a nice fit, such a perfect length, such an ideal color. Pencil skirt win. In fact, I got her sisters in white and camel, so you can be sure you'll be seeing those soon as well. I might hold off on the white for a bit though...

Embellished tee - Ruche / Coral pencil skirt - Macy's /
Sandals - Nine West "Bigspender" (via Endless)/ Clutch - eloquii

I especially liked the idea of wearing a pretty embellished cream tee with the skirt. Very simple, but very feminine. I'm always on the look out for these types of embellished tops. They used to be a staple at Anthropologie, but I haven't come across any I've liked in a while. Thanks to Ruche for stocking this one! The floral applique detail carries over to the back, too - a nice touch. And it's so, so soft. I might live in it all summer.

I liked the idea of simple nude peep-toe with the outfit, but who can deny a little extra color? Yep, these sweet minty sandals are simply the green version of my coral lovelies. You might see a few other colors crop up sooner than later as well. They're the perfect summer sandal in so many ways, so I just couldn't resist getting another color. Besides, I'd been seaching for a great green sandal for, like, ever. When it's right, it's right.

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Ruche / Nails - Re-fresh Mint (China Glaze)

Grey Area

I adore the combination of browns and greys together. It's definitely a pairing I advocate whenever I can. There's just something so sophisticated about these two neutrals together! Once upon a time (before I fully grasped the concept of neutrals, I think), I had it stuck in my head that they clashed, but then one day I thought better of it. I think my first such outfit (pre-blog) was a brown cowl-neck sweater and grey wide-leg pants. I might have belted it, too. Nothing earth shattering, I know, but something about it felt avant-garde at the time. (Of course, many things feel "avant-garde" in my corner of the world.) Now the combination has come of age, I guess, and I see the combination out and about more often than not. Not gonna lie - a small part of me wishes I could take credit for it, but I can't imagine I have that much style clout. =7

Dress - Dress Barn / Instant Sleeves in Dove - LucieLu / Wide belt - Banana Republic /
Handbag -  Furla (via Filene's Basement / Heels - RSVP (via Zappos)

The last time I wore this dark grey dress, I did something similar with tan and gold accessories. It helps when there's an embellishment of bronze, grey and gold that lends itself to such combinations, of course. It's such a great fitting dress, too. It fit a little loose when I first bought it, but at a few pounds heavier I'm grateful for the extra room. Though the dress does have cap sleeves, I wore the LucieLu Instant Sleeves (yep, again) more for the tonal color variation than for the coverage. Although, I do love the look of elbow-length sleeves on me. I guess that explains why I've been wearing these babies a lot lately, eh?

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - The Limited

Be sure to enter my two blogiversary giveaways for a fantastic necklace and a unique earrings/bangle combo! It ends Sunday night!!

Olive Juice

What's that? My backdrop has suspiciously changed to my old locale? Okay, I admit it; these pics were taken before we moved. I had fully intended to post a few more times before I went on hiatus, but things got so crazy that posting proved impossible. I know, excuses excuses...

Sequined bib top - LOFT / Olive washed pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Navy belt - Banana Republic /
Gold sandals - Moda Spana (via Endless.com) / Handbag - Tano "Minilisa" in Blue Marine

My attire those days necessitated absolute casual wear, but I didn't want to just slum it in yoga pants and a hoodie, however much that might have been my inclination. An embellished tee and an olive green pencil skirt? Too easy. And almost as comfortable.

Donning a top that does all the work for you (in back as much as the front) is certainly a bonus, though. This outfit, featuring the same top, is a straight up remix of an earlier version of a burgundy/olive pairing. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I just love the color combination! I've also worn this skirt so often (on and off the blog) that it's one I nearly always turn to for "elevated casual." And just cuz it's a great skirt.

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - LOFT

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)