All Wrapped Up

I will forever be grateful for the wrap silhouette, whether top or dress. As I wage war with my midlife midsection, and find that so many of the pieces and styles of clothing in my closet do not currently fit me, I know I can always rely on the wrap. It's like the best friend of clothing, or something.

Laila Wrap top - c/o Kiyonna / Suede pencil skirt - Queen Grace /
Half-cami - Coobie (via HerRoom.com) / Shoes - Calvin Klein Kendall (via 6pm.com)

I have many wrap dresses in my arsenal already, but not many wrap tops. I'm always in the market for flattering, feminine separates, so I've been lusting after the Laila Wrap Top from Kiyonna for a while now. I tried the block and white polka dot from Gwynnie Bee over the summer, but since I didn't have anywhere to wear it at the time, I sent it back. But love it, I did. When it came out in this bold magenta hue I knew it would have to find a place in my closet, and Kiyonna was so kind to send it to me! One of my favorite features about it is how great it looks with both pencil skirt and pants or jeans. I've found that most Kiyonna tops are too long on me to look good with my beloved pencil skirts, but the asymmetry of the top combined with the feminine flounces helps to balance out those proportions. The berry hue paired perfectly with this relatively new brown pencil of mine, all of which happily proclaimed autumn to me. Most importantly, however, it was just the thing to camouflage my problematic belly in a way that is still me.

Handbag - Steve Madden (via TJ Maxx) / Necklace - Urban Outfitters (old) / Ring - Banana Republic (old) / Earrings - Ruche (old)

And I'm definitely fighting with my personal style right now. It's one of the main reasons I've been struggling with my posts theses days. All of the things I love to wear are not working on me as well as they used to. Facing the fact that my body shape has changed has been a tough pill to swallow, my friends. And I can't even say I've swallowed it yet - choking on it, is more likely. I'm in new territory, and short of a miracle drug, it's gonna take me a bit to figure this one out.

In the meantime, I am ever-so-grateful for silhouettes that stand the test of time (and body shape)!

Eye of the Tiger Lily

Having only two real "working" days these days, I find myself in much more need of casual outfits. When I'm not in the classroom, I'm either in my home office or coffee shop "office," both of which provide some real sartorial challenges. While I've actually grown to love my home office (especially with my precious La Perla de Oaxaca a la French Press), it doesn't really encourage me to get dressed for the day. (Yoga pants and old college sweatshirt does not a bloggiful [totes just made up that word] ensemble make.) And the coffee shop certainly doesn't require pencils skirts and heels! (Not that that has stopped me.) So what to wear, what to wear... Alls I can say is, thank goodness for denim in its many varieties!

Top - Lucky Brand via Gwynnie Bee / Skinnies - Lane Bryant (old)
Sandals - Christain Siriano for Payless (old)

I've honestly loved wearing my skinnies with some kind of voluminous top lately. It's not only a chic way to do casual, it's comfortable and, better yet, a great way to dress for the hotter fall days we've been having in the Midwest. (86° in October? C'mon now...) And once again, Gwynnie Bee comes to the rescue with yet another cute top to don for just such an "occasion." I know I wore this exact outfit at least 5 times before finally sending the top back!

Ring and necklace (old) - Ruche

I loved pulling out the pink in the top with a few choice accessories. The orange and pink made for an unexpectedly fabulous color combo! In fact, I think the accessories pretty much made the outfit.

The other thing about heading downtown to my fave coffee shop is the need to lug more than a few books with me. Sure, I have a backpack, but what fun is that? This is where my many oversized bags come into more "functional" play...not that such function has ever been a consideration for me before - the bigger the better, I say! Happily, and pretty much outta nowhere, the kind folks over at Gustto - after seeing my blog header with one of my favorite handbags ever (my fuchsia Gustto Pavia, worn OFTEN) - offered to send me a bag from their eye-popping, budget-friendly handbag line, Miss Gustto. Was I going to jump on a chance for a free handbag from a designer I know and love? HELLZ YES. The difficult thing was only which to choose! I settled on this goes-with-everything taupe number (The "Katie") both for its fabulous size and delicious hardware. The unexpected surprise was that it not only fit a number of books, but also my laptop! All while able to sit comfortably over my shoulder for all those now easy jaunts downtown. I was also really impressed with the quality of the bag itself. It's a vegan/budget bag-lover's DREAM - smooth faux leather, good construction and really fun details. I tend to think this brand nails the oversized trend, too. Pretty sure I'm officially in the market for a few more...

"Katie" Handbag - c/o Miss Gustto

And you know what, Miss Gustto is offering my readers a chance to win one of their bags! Stay tuned for details regarding the giveaway in the next few days!

Earrings - LOFT (old)

Hmmm...that fuchsia Pavia would have been a perfect choice for this outfit, too, eh?

White Light

See? I've worn this almost-returned top again already. Thank goodness for its wonderfully concealing butterfly sleeves - they're like fashion band-aids for the midsection and arms. And as we launch headlong into summer-weight dressing, I'm thankful for a little more coverage that doesn't make me sweat bullets.

Top - eloquii / Skinnies - Lane Bryant / Sandals - Payless

I'm trying out a new pair of skinnies, too. My only pair to date has been the Gap Always Skinny style, and they've served me well, but I've never enjoyed how low-rise they are. My midsection does not need that much attention! So I've been on the look out for a higher-rise pair, especially from plus size retailers that don't think a higher rise is such a horrible thing. Cue recent promotion at Lane Bryant and their Power Stretch Skinny Jean. They're a little shorter in length than the Gap pair, but I don't have any quibbles about that since I prefer them to sit at my ankles anyway. The rise is indeed comfortably higher (yay!!), and the "power stretch" claim is also true - they have a bit more give that better complements this girl's curves. They are a little flimsier than the Gap pair - somewhere between a jegging and regular denim - so I wonder how well they'll hold up, but for 50% off, I don't really mind.

Ah, but we really are into summer dressing, whether I like it or not. (Oh, hello there, 90 degrees!) I have a hard time getting dressed in the summer, as has been a topic before on this blog. In fact, it was probably one of the major factors contributing to how little I posted last summer! But I've gotten into a nice grove this year, and blogging - however basic at times - does help keep my body-image issues in check, especially while I fight this current battle of the bulge. Nevertheless, I've been thinking of cutting back my posts to three times a week rather than five, just so I can try to keep things fresh for both myself and you, my dear readers. And maybe finally get around to doing that oft-requested video tutorial about my updo, eh?  =)

Handbag - Banana Republic / Belt - Talbots / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant

Mileage

I hope you don't mind that I took a few days off there. Commencement weekend left me exhausted in mind, body and soul. I've taken off a few days from work too, so being unplugged from the world for a few days has been a nice reprieve.

But believe it or not, I managed to take pictures of two of my outfits from the weekend! Friday night was easy since I had the afternoon to do so; Saturday - out of the house by 6:15am and not back until 11pm - was impossible (I just re-wore this comfortably cute outfit anyway); and Sunday will be shared tomorrow!

Ponte dress - Dorothy Perkins / Instant Sleeves - LucieLu
Sandals - Nine West (via Endless) 

The outfits I wore needed to be comfortable, breathable, beltable (so I had something to clip my radio onto), and something I could just feel good in, ya know? I thought this ponte dress was a good candidate for all of that. I tried a few different accessories from the first wearing of the dress, and I added my LucieLu Instant Sleeves in Mocha to add a second color and a little more arm coverage.

Handbag - Banana Republic / Belt - Lane Bryant

I'm doing a lot with brown and greens, though, aren't I? And, like, all different tones of them. I think it mostly works, but I confess all I really care about is that I got to wear this necklace again. And the shoes... Yes, believe it or not, I really was able to run around for about 4 hours in the them! How's that for shoe mileage?

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Anthropologie / Earrings - Banana Republic

Rinse and Repeat

This might be my first official, full-on-blog repeat. I remember loving it the first time around and, since I had an important meeting, I wanted to wear something I loved and remember feeling good in. I did change up a few of the accessories, though, and I couldn't resist wearing my beloved coral sandals. However, this was actually one fussy outfit. Neither cardigan, belt, nor camisole wanted to stay in place - so I ended up unbelting and unbuttoning the cardigan, and tucking in the camisole before heading off to work. Only slightly less fussy, but I felt mostly uncomfortable all day anyway. Well, at least my handbag was fabulous. (And shoes, duh.)

Cardigan - LOFT / Camisole - LOFT / Pencil skirt - eloquii / Belt - Talbots
Sandals - Nine West / Handbag - Banana Republic

Happy Feet

It seems a lot of my posts have been about shoes lately. And now that I think about it, they've all been about these shoes! For good reason, my friends. For good reason. I mean, when you can walk home 6+ blocks in such relatively high platforms, still looking good and feeling spunky? And when they are simply the perfect color for the season and can be worn with about a zillion outfits? My feet have never been happier.

Cardigan - LOFT / Top - Gap / Skinnes - Gap / Belt - LOFT
Handbag - Banana Republic / Sandals - Nine West

The top is my final (for now) Gap sale rack find from last week. I'm so glad I snagged it because it was one that I had been quietly lusting after when it first came out and, like a good little girl, refused to pay full price for it. It's quite a flattering little top. Feminine, fitted, pretty. All good things. I may even wear it without a cardigan in the summer months, and I rarely meet a sleeveless top that'd make me consider such a thing.

It's one of those fluttery tops that lend themselves well to skinny bottoms, and I simply love navy and coral these days - hence the shoes. I'm also considering my coral skinnies for a future outfit! And my teal pencil skirt, and...

Ring - H&M / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - The Limited /
Nails - "Love & Acceptance" (Essie)

To a Tee

After a busy work weekend, I often take Mondays off. Such was the case yesterday. I typically don't wear anything blog-worthy on those days, and the world is I'm lucky if I get dressed at all. I also think my biggest style handicap is casual wear, i.e. anything without heels. It's one of the reasons you don't see much of these sorts of outfits on here! But I've really been loving the casual coolness of cuffed skinnies lately, and even more so with a vibrant colored henley tee.

Tee - Gap / Skinnies - Gap / Handbag - DKNY (via TJ Maxx) /
Sandals - Bandolino (via Endless) / Earrings - Lane Bryant / Ring - Ruche

Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised by this basic $7 Gap tee. All I had to do was add a few choice accessories - a statement bag, big jewelery, and strappy wedges - and I could actually be seen outside of the house.

Furry Friend

Hello, handbag. I've been wanting to test drive this furry Furla for months now. It finally came available and I had just enough credit in my BBOS account to get to play with it for a week. So, I've been intentionally building all my outfits around the bag in order to showcase it. It's harder than I thought it would be, but so far, so good.

Neo-Refinement Pullover - Anthropologie / Denim - Lane Bryant / Boots - CL by Laundry (via Famous  Footwear) /
Handbag - Furla Carmen Shopper Grande Handbag (via BBOS)

Ironically, the top became the real showstopper, though. I always seem to get tons of compliments on this unique, structural sweater, and for good reason. It does wonders for showcasing my collarbones (a favorite feature of Bob's), is such a pretty winter color and is just all-around fabulous (even if wonky at times). I've already worn it with pants and a pencil skirt, so now that I've paired it with the ever pair-able jeans, the rotation may be complete. How should I wear it next?

Earrings - The Limited / Ring - Ruche

What do you think of the plain(ish) white background? I've started to think the bookshelf is too dark and too busy for a nighttime outfit backdrop, so I'm experimenting with the few white spaces I have in our small apartment. I'm not sure if it's quite right either, though...

Sunless

Between the gloomy, cloudy day and my relatively colorless top, today's outfit pictures look pretty drab. I had considered layering with a blazer of some sort (olive? navy?) and decided against it at the last minute, but I do think it needs a little something extra. Like a...

Top - Anthropologie / Tank - Anthropologie / Denim - Lane Bryant / Belt - Talbots /
Booties - Nine West (via Amazon) / Handbag - Gustto

...bright pink handbag! Since the bag pretty much just sits on my desk at work, though, it can only do so much good. Maybe bright pink belt for next time? Or maybe some sunlight. Yeah, I like the sound of that...

Necklace and earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Ruche

What is everyone doing this weekend? Do you have Monday off? I ordered a bunch of slim flocked hangers to completely redo my closet. Hoping for more space when I'm done!

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

Many Returns

Well, hello there! Long time, no see!

It sure has been hard to get back into blogging after two months MIA. So hard that I couldn’t even muster up the motivation to celebrate what would have been my one year blogiversary last week! (The 14th, to be exact...) Moving took a lot out of me and the start of the new concert season at work took even more. But, work is more or less on auto-pilot, we’re finally and comfortably moved in, and I even found a new photo shoot location at the new place. (Really, this took the most toll on the blog! Ya-know-what-I’m-sayin’??) I now live on a brick-lined street, which unfortunately is too busy for me to take pictures exclusively, but it sure makes a nice bonus when I can snag a few shots like these!

Military green cropped jacket - Maurices / Banded Lace-Up Tunic - Anthropologie /
Dark skinnies - Gap / Wedges - LOFT / Grey handbag - Urban Outfitters

This top was a great Anthro sale grab last month. (And still available at under $10!!) It was one of those I tried on when it was full price but couldn’t bring myself to purchase. I kept thinking I’d wear it with white crops, which I’m sure would be a fun summer look, too, but summer has faded away before I could find a pair that I actually liked myself in. Cue the ever-reliable denim skinnies and a military green topper! I was pleasantly surprised by how well the colors and proportion came together, and it’s a great way to transition this top into the fall season.

I feel like I’ve missed out on a TON, and I’ve got a lot of catching up to do! Thanks to all of you who’ve stuck around, welcome to all of you who’ve come on board, and hello to another sonsy fall season!

Happy birthday to my (little) sister who hits the big 3-0 today! I love you, Ruthie!

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!!) =))