Pencil Pusher

Hello, old (and new) friends!

Lately, blogging has become one of those things I don't seem to miss until I do it. And so, here I sit on a gorgeous September afternoon, blogging, drinking iced coffee, and realizing how much personal satisfaction I really do get from this process. I think, like so many things in my life lately, it's just all about routines. And with so many changes this year, a new routine has been challenging to find - and that includes blogging.

But when a joyful pink pencil skirt comes around, and it just so happens to be a fall trend (says the interwebs, and now me!), it makes me want to get my groove back. You already know my devotion for pencil skirts, but I'm convinced Kiyonna makes the very best. This one, the Curvy Pencil Skirt, is ponte knit like so many of my faves already in my closet, but Kiyonna always makes them a bit longer than the rest, and therefore just the right length for me - right past my knee caps. They always fit so well that I feel like I've lost 10 pounds just putting one on. Why I haven't purchased every single pencil skirt they've sold is beyond me, but perhaps that should be my goal. I mean, sure, I have, errrrr, about 5 black pencil skirts already, but I can guarantee one by Kiyonna would be my last.

Curvy Pencil Skirt in Pretty in Pink - c/o Kiyonna / Safari jacket - Lane Bryant (sold out!) /
Eyeglasses Sweater - Lane Bryant / Sandals - Nine West / Handbag - DKNY via TJ Maxx

As for the outfit, this particular combination was an accident, really. I was trying on new arrivals at Lane Bryant a few weeks ago, particularly this outfit, and I put these pieces together on a whim. The jacket was definitely coming home with me, but the quirky sweater (a la Zooey Deschanel methinks) was more or less filler while I ventured out of the fitting room to find a few other pieces. Well, when one of the sales associates exclaimed how cute my outfit was, I started rethinking my decision. Between having this fabulous pink pencil skirt gifted to me by Kiyonna at home, and the fact that the sweater for the original outfit I wanted was completely sold out in store and online anyway, this new outfit was meant to be.

I've been dying to wear this outfit for weeks now, actually, but it just hasn't been cool enough! It's a great transitional outfit, and an army green jacket is already a fall staple in my closet. A quick search on Pinterest for additional styling inspiration for my pink skirt (and where I learned pink/fuchsia was going to be trend for fall) yielded some pretty fantastic options, pink and camel or animal print among them. I love the way the combination gives it a new twist on fall basics, and I've already got pieces in my closet practically jumping out at me in anticipation. So many outfits, so little time!

Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant

So, happy fall, everyone! I've already got another post planned for next week, so you can be sure you'll be seeing more of me!

Give It a Swirl

I braved a little sky spit for this photo op. I'm just not ready for indoor pics yet! (Read: My apartment is just not ready for indoor pics yet!) In case you didn't know, cameras and rain don't mix. Fortunately, the drizzle was intermittent enough for me to get the job done, and I had an umbrella that I had on hand to (awkwardly) use when necessary. On the plus side, all that moisture in the air and on the ground makes for some pretty color.

Belt - Talbots / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - The Limited / Ring - The Limited

Skirt - eloquii / Top - H&M / Shoes - Kohl's

I once again pair this green skirt with black and white. This time it's a graphic b/w print of my dreams! I just love the medallion design. I mean, when I think black-and-white-graphic-print, this is IT. Found at one of my all-too-fleeting (and very quick) H&M trips, I took it straight to the check out without even trying it on. Well, given its uber-blousy nature, I should have sized down, so I wasn't able to wear it for a whole month before I could get to another H&M to exchange it. I was just glad they still had the top! Oh, how I wish for an H&M closer than 2 hours away...

How Graphic

It just occurred to me that this skirt photographs much bluer than it is in real life. There is a lot more green in this skirt than these posts have been letting on! It's a true teal, methinks, rather than an aquamarine blue. Or maybe it's yellow to you, who knows...

Top - Cynthia Steffe (via TJMaxx) / Pencil skirt - eloquii / Sandals - Bandolino (via Endless)

But that's where the wonder of post-processing (which I normally shy away from at all costs) comes in. In fact, this was one of those outfits I loved much more in real life than in my usual unedited pictures. To be honest, I almost hated it after reviewing the pictures; the graphic print of the top with the vibrant teal of the skirt was quite striking in person, but for some reason it came across much duller in the untouched photos. Cue a little magical tool called cross-processing (oooooh), and I was able to get the color of the skirt closer to what it's supposed to be. And make my pictures artsy. It's a win-win.

Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

I will say that I decided to change my shoes after taking these pictures, though. The ankle strap against my pale legs wasn't doing me any favors here, and the white also seemed to contribute to the outfit's apparent dullness. I bet you can't guess which shoes I swapped them for? Yep, that's right, yesterday's coral lovelies. At first I thought it might have been too much color, but the ol' BF - of all people - talked me into it. Go figure! Unfortunately, I didn't have time to redo the photo shoot, so I can only leave it to your imagination. And maybe this picture. =S

And actually, the skirt's color here is even closer to its true color! (The shoes - not so much.)

Ring - The Limited / Necklace - Banana Republic / Earrings - The Limited

I also introduce to you yet another photo location with this post. Thanks to some beefy masons working away on our neighbor's brick porch/yard/sidewalk, I was too embarrassed to take pictures of myself so close to them, possibly encouraging questions (gasp!) or comments (blurg), so I was finally forced to find a new (and improved!) shady spot nearby. (Ah, the brick background - the style blogger's best friend. Amirite??) However, I did take one picture of my would-be location (in an effort to pretend I wasn't doing anything strange whilst the beefcakes looked on) and thought it rather pretty on its own. Ah, spring's bloom...