Olive Juice

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers!

I actually had trouble with this EBEW challenge. I do have red and pink pieces in my wardrobe, but nothing that really works together (or with my usual style), so I knew I was going to have to fall back on accessories. Moreover, I was worried that I'd be putting pieces together purely for the sake of participating, without much hope that the outfit would be anything I'd wear again. I'm pleased to say, however, that I might wear this combination without or without a Valentine's Day Challenge!

Pink belt - The Limited / Ring - Banana Republic / Pink earrings - LOFT

A pale pink belt and a red sweater; definitely a minimalist version of the challenge, but it's "me." (I'll save ground-breaking for other participants.) I did quite like how olive looked against all my red and pink pieces when I was trying on outfits, so I wanted to be sure to make it a part of the outfit, whatever I chose. My one contribution, I guess. =)

Red sweater - Lane Bryant / Olive ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted) / Handbag - Coach (gifted)

And now, sweethearts for all!

Sequins & Sparkles

First of all, I'm really sorry for the picture quality. Not only am I still waiting for a new camera, Bob is also out of town on business, and therefore so is his iPhone (with which we've been taking pictures in the interim). So it's back to my crappy Nikon Coolpix for today - I simply had to participate in today's EBEW "Sequins and Sparkles" challenge!

Cardi - LOFT / Sequin tank - LOFT / Pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Tights - Simply Vera (Kohl's) / Sandals - Banana Republic

Thought I don't own too much sparkle, when the challenge was announced I knew this sequined delight would be the top I would wear. It fits so nice and is just the prettiest winter white/cream color that makes it perfect around the holiday season. (I did, in fact, toy with wearing it with my new ASOS lurex stripe skirt for New Year's.) I love the raw edge of the always-flattering scoop neckline, too. In keeping with my near-obsession for all combinations of cream and grey, I went for a grey ponte pencil skirt and grey herringbone tights, a cream cardi in a slightly lighter color (I love the tonal variation of the two together), and {gasp} open toed camel sandals. I don't always love the look of tights + sandals on me, but I really like it here. Ties everything together.

Believe it or not (and I sure didn't), I hadn't yet worn the pencil skirt. I've worn the olive and black versions a few times now, but when I went to pull this one out of the closet, it still had the tags on. Craziness! I just love these skirts though. The wide waistband makes tucking in shirts actually possible and the material is so forgiving that I don't have to worry about much else.

Leather Ostrich Embossed Metal Bar Clutch - ASOS

Like my new clutch? I sure do! Bobby bought it for me as an early birthday present. =) I'd been looking for the perfect caramelly envelope clutch for months, and then I found this one also at ASOS, priced so right and ostrich-embossed! (You're rockin' my world, ASOS!) Of all the textures of leather, ostrich is unquestionably my favorite. Good job, Bobby. =)

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - Anthropolgoie

Tight Walk

Tuesday. Here we go. Three consecutive morning performances plus five consecutive evening performances equals no sleep, no me or Bobby-time, and lots of coffee. (Kona, baby!) This also means that planning outfits for the week is a must. I've got a working list all ready to go, but blog only knows if they'll work out as well as in my head. That's the one hinge that can either make or break my morning, that will keep me on time or make me unforgivably late.

Embellishment cardigan - Anthropologie / Cami - Banana Republic /
Denim pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Mocha tights - We Love Colors / Shoes - Kenneth Cole

Today could have gone either way. I've been meaning to try an interpretation of green and turquoise together a la this pin. Wanting to participate in today's EBEW's Tight Challenge, I thought my mocha tights would be a great pairing. Well, the outfit sure didn't look anything like I wanted it to, so I ditched it and about 5 other attempts and went back to the drawing board. Since I had those chocolaty-smooth tights on already, I wanted to put together something else that would work but with minimal effort on my part. (I'd spent way too much time on the failed ensemble[s] already.) Cue a cardigan with saturated colors and lovely embellishment to do all the work for me.

Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - Anthropologie /
Nail polish - "All Hail McQueen" (Butter London)

I've worn this lovely cardigan pretty similarly to that last time, but wanting to showcase the tights, I opted for some cute mary-janes instead of boots. Happy Tights Day, everyone!

Pile It On

I actually had a hard time with the Yellow Everybody Everywear challenge today. It seems I only have yellow sweaters or yellow tees. Nothing in between. I had one outfit all picked out - lots of color and interesting textures with an teal embellished tank, yellow sweater and white bermuda shorts. Well, I'm glad I tried it on last night because, thanks to the too-long tank, the too-short sweater, and the winged pockets of the shorts, the proportions were terribly off. Plus, I knew the sweater was going to be a bad idea with the hot and humid weather we're having. So I ditched it all and went back to the drawing board, looking to my casual yellow tees to help round out this challenge instead.

Yellow tee - Gap / Navy trouser pants - LOFT / Yellow belt - The Limited / Camel peep-toes  - Banana Republic

I figured I couldn't go wrong with a yellow boat neck tee, but I wanted to dress it up, so I pulled these navy trouser pants. First pants all summer, I should mention. Still not terribly interesting, even though the proportions were much better (and a much more "professional" outfit than I've donned all summer), but what's a girl to do? Pile on all the yellow accessories I could stomach? Yep! Hey, we're celebrating yellow today. The varying shades of yellow in the accessories keep them one degree from overkill... Maybe?  =)

Earrings - The Limited / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Yellow topaz ring - Banana Republic (eBayed)

A Floral Arrangement

Hello (long lost) friends! I thought I'd interrupt my little hiatus with a little Everybody Everywhere floral love! It's an uber windy day (as you'll see from my rouge whips of hair and the sway of my top), mid-80s and humid as hell. (So much for spring, eh?) But it's also sunny and the greenery is lush, I'm aaaaaaaaaaaaaaalmost to the end of year, and I have a pretty outfit to wear, so I'll take it!

Walled City Blouse - Anthropologie / Skinnies - Gap

The best part is that my EBEW participation is completely accidental. With my head stuck deep in the sands of commencement preparation, I had no idea when the EBEW was going to be, and I only had a vague recollection that it was going to be florals. Well imagine the serendipity that, after randomly checking out the EBEW blog and learning that today was the day, I had planned not only debut this lovely floral top today, but was going to do everything in my power to post as well!

Handbag - Gustto

But don't you love this top! The minute it appeared in the Anthroplogie catalogue, I looked it up and wish-listed it right away. I even pinned it to help aid my lusting. (Yep, that's right - I'm on Pinterest! I just love the Anthropologie photo shoots, and I pin them whenever I'm ogling a new item they've featured.) It then almost immediately sold out, and I began to consider buying it for full price once it came back in stock. Over Easter weekend, Bob and I poked around the Third Ward in downtown Milwaukee, with my sole mission being that I spend some time at the Anthropologie there and hunt down this top. Glory be, there it was, even if they only had (10!) size mediums. What the hell, I thought I'd try it on for shits and giggles. What the what?! It fit! It's a little snug in the chest and and hips (where I'm the bulkiest, of course), but thanks to its unique layers, you can't really tell. And it's a gorgeous article of clothing, to be sure. Such a beautiful painterly floral print, luscious silk, swingy layers, and the amazing detail of a hand-braided neckline  - I haven't regretted paying full price one bit. I did end up ordering my usual size (large) just to compare the fit, and fortuitously enough, the medium fit better.

I also have to say that I LOVE the Anthro Reversible Seamless Tank. I'm wearing one in "Pearl" here, though you can't really see in the pics. (The top is rather sheer and I wanted another layer.) Sure, you can probably find a basic tank for cheaper elsewhere, but this is more shaper than mere tank, and I love that it's reversible! The material is super comfy as well. I plan to stock up in multiple colors!

Earrings - LOFT / Ring - Banana Republic

I considered a few necklace options, especially since the neck opening is so large. But rather than filling the open space just for the sake of it, I opted to go without, letting the intricate braided neckline and the colors of the print have the entire spotlight.

"Lalita" Cut-Out Peep-Toe Pump - Banana Republic

All in all, a great day for a post! Until next time...(whenever they let me out again!!) =))

Maximize

I finally remembered to participate in Everybody Everywhere! Nevermind the fact I'm posting so late, of course...

The last time I wore this maxi dress, I styled it in attempt to replicate an Anthropologie ensemble included in FFUF March Inspiration Calendar. I did alright, but I had in the back of my mind to try this blue jacket the next time I wore it. (Thanks to EBEW, it got to be sooner than later!) It's closer in color profile to the original, of course, but I also think it is just an all-around more flattering combination.

The jacket's open collar, which is almost like a portrait collar the way it sits on my shoulders, highlights my neckline and face in all the best ways. The green belt, which I chose to wear over the jacket this time, creates a better balance of colors, which in turn creates better proportions on my hiptacular bod. I definitely think my re-interpretation is a winner!

Maxi dress - Maurices / Blue double-zip jacket - LOFT / Green belt - Banana Republic / Cut-out wedges - LOFT /
Handbag - Gustto

As you can see, I also ventured out for new picture locations today! Bob and I went for a walk around a nearby lake this weekend, which gave me a chance to stake out such locations. The vibrant teal paneling on the shed, this campfire area, and future lake view spots (which will probably have to wait until the summer when my life slows down a bit, unfortunately) have definitely given me a nudge to experiment with my camera more (i.e. to take better pictures). And during an extremely stressful week month as I've been having, it's just nice to get outside, have a little me-time, be a little creative, and enjoy the air.