Season Opener

It goes without saying that I'm behind. I've continued to take outfit pictures over the past few weeks, but I just haven't been posting enough to keep up. The season has begun, fall weather has returned (pumpkin spice lattes!! cozy sweaters and lots of layers!) and more or less my days have regained momentum. So what gives!? Rather than waste precious time and space attempting to find an answer, let's just dig in. And imma start with this fabulous frock I wore for opening night on Saturday!

Chevron dress - Lane Bryant / Shoes - Nine West "Danee" in Taupe Patent

I adore this dress. Truth be told, I bought (and wore) this dress for my trip to CA to visit Bob's family. I thought it was just the perfect combination of a fun, stylish, flattering, yet conservative outfit for a potential dressier night out. While we never did have that night out (everything was pretty darn casual), it got to play on the beach for a romantic dinner with Bob. Since I didn't snap pictures (and since, frankly, it didn't get the debut it deserved), I just knew it would be the perfect outfit for the season opening night.

For such a cool, comfortable dress, it sure does pack a punch. The chevron stripes in these vibrant tonal blues are slammin', and the hi-lo hem - something I usually avoid - really works for me here. The short dolman sleeves offered coverage yet kept me cool while moving through the crowds. Surprisingly, I wouldn't have given the dress much thought if it hadn't been for Lane Bryant styling, where the model is killing it with belt, clutch, tan (!!!) heels, and an effortless reclining pose. Compare that with the basic product picture - SNOOZE!! As you can see, I duplicated the styling pretty darn closely. Total kudos to LB for kicking up their product styling a notch! Styling sells!

Belt - Lane Bryant / Clutch - Lane Bryant / Ring - Banana Republic /
Earrings - Maurices / Nails - Blue Suede (Matte) by Orly

Anyhoo, the dress is fab, and I felt fab in it. I see it topped with a jacket paired with tights and boots in the fall...

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

Blank Canvas

Let's start off the week with a great little dress, shall we? This Dorothy Perkins dress was one of those peplum finds that I had stalked forever online. The color I really wanted was a luscious grass green, but, alas, it sold out in my size before I could make up my mind to pull the trigger. The blank canvas of nude turned out to be a happy (and more versatile) runner up.

I use to have (well, still have but it nowhere near fits) a flannel caramel-colored sheath from Banana Republic that I always wanted to wear with a green belt. It never did fit (and it's time for me to give it up, methinks) so the outfit idea continued to languish. So this nude dress sprung to my mind as a way to finally wear the combination. The dress is best worn with a belt, actually, so it was fate!

Dress - Dororthy Perkins / Belt - Banana Republic /
Clutch - eloquii / Heels - Nine West "Bigspender" (via  Endless)

Lest a dress nearly the color of my skin wash me out, colorful accessories were necessary. The belt was already a given, but the combination of other accessories would plague me. I don't think I hit the right mark with this particular combination, but I couldn't resist the punch of green and coral. (Truthfully, I just couldn't resist wearing these shoes!) I will say that the necklace is closer to the green of the belt than these pictures let on; they seem more complementary in real life. As a whole, the outfit might be a case where a little more editing was necessary, and I confess myself feeling somewhat self-conscious for much of the night on that score, but there it is. Funnily enough, I received several compliments on the necklace and quite a few on the shoes. So maybe I shouldn't have hung so tightly to the belt, eh?

Necklace - Modcloth (gifted) / Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - Anthroplogie /
Nailpolish - Re-fresh Mint (China Glaze)

That's the nice thing about a blank canvas, though; the options for next time are endless!

Musical

I attended a remarkable concert last night: the St Olaf Choir's 100th Anniversary Tour. It was a concert that made me miss the act of making music, especially singing in a choir. Yep, little known fact, I was a singer in college (a pianist, too), and some of my most cherished memories involve choirs and the music we created. The sound of the voice, of the harmonies and dissonances possible, the tone colors, the texts - these have always moved me more than anything else. And I just miss it. The choir's performance was inspiring: impassioned yet restrained, spiritual, genuine and nearly flawless. And it's got me thinking that I need to find ways to make music again...

Lucille lace skirt - c/o Kiyonna / Fur collar cardigan - Eloquii / Camisole - Eloquii /
Platforms - Nine West  "Hopefloat" (via 6pm.com)

And so, a remarkable night calls for a remarkable outfit, does it not? (Or is it that a remarkable outfit calls for a remarkable night?) Absolutely. I received the luxurious Lucille Lace Skirt from Kiyonna just in time for this concert, and it was just what I wanted to wear for the occasion. It fits like a dream - comfortably fitted and hitting ever-so-perfectly below my knees. The seaming in the front draws nice lines along the body, and the champagne underlay is so classic and elegant. I felt like a million bucks; I felt like I owned the place (though in my position I guess in a sense I already do), commanding attention, respect, and even desire from all who crossed my path. Okay, okay...I might be getting carried away, but isn't that we should feel everyday? It never fails to amaze me what power clothing can have...

I did have some trouble fining the perfect top, however. Black lace over nude lining makes for rather limited outfit choices. The right silhouette, restrained details, and good structure were also important to me. I needed to find something that stood up to the skirt but didn't detract from it, something that highlighted my curves while highlighting the skirt itself.

I decided I needed to stick with a black top, using color where I could in other accessories. A buttoned cardigan seemed too plain, but I didn't have much else in my wardrobe (believe it or not). A portrait collar could be glorious, but I didn't have anything in the right color or material. (Velvet? No.) But thanks to Eloquii's 46% Superbowl day sale, I thought I'd try this fur collar wrap cardigan of theirs. It was final sale, but it was cheap and getting great reviews. I thought that its v-neck and wrap shape (which Kiyonna's ever-amazing Evania also recommended) would offer the perfect silhouette. The fur collar was a great detail on its own, but it also seemed a perfect complement to lace. (I'll have to thank the trends for this one.) It wasn't until I received it in the mail and tried it on did I realize that it really was the perfect top for the skirt. I could stop looking!

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

I waited to choose accessories until I put everything on, rummaging through all my jewelry for the right color component. My inclination was turquoise, mainly because it was the same direction I went with the gold and black palette for NYE. But this was also why I wanted to do something different. Gold, definitely, but I need a little extra color somewhere. After a few misfires, I came to this striking peach stone necklace. It was just the right amount of color I was after, allowing me to leave my earrings and ring to simple golds. The only obvious choice in all of this were nude platforms, come to think of it...

A harmonious outfit, I dare say. Music to my ears. =)

Post-performance in the Lower Foyer of the Great Hall

Home for the Holidays

Sorry I disappeared for a few days there! We celebrated an early Christmas last Thursday, and though I had intended to blog (I managed to take pictures, anyway), I just didn't get around to it. Presents > blogging. I'm sure you would agree. =)

Rylan Ruched Top - Kiyonna / Dark skinnies - Gap / Scarf - gifted /
Nude pumps - Nine West "Hollyce" (via Zappos) / Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

The rest of the weekend was spent generally relaxing, including a quiet dinner at home with my mom and Bob on Christmas Day. On Friday, we went down to Milwaukee's Third Ward to see the holiday sights and do a little shopping and eating. I grew up in Milwaukee, so I always enjoy seeing how things have changed and how they've stayed the same. We really love the Third Ward, though. Great shops, great food. In some ways I can't believe what a trendy little hot spot it's become!

I was especially thrilled to find a plus-sized boutique down there. Usually such things are relegated to, I dunno, anywhere else (and places that never seem to be near me), and certainly not right next door to Anthroplogie! But when I walked past the window of  Boutique Larrieux and saw the Kiyonna Rylan Ruched Top in the window (which I'm wearing here, in addition to the purple that I already own), I exclaimed "This is a plus sized store!! We're going in!" While I didn't really need to buy anything, I was just so tickled by the selection of all the items I've come to know and love via their online stores - Igigi, Kiyonna, LucieLu, Anna Scholtz. They even had some lovely dresses by Adrianna Papell, one of which I was thisclose to buying for New Years - if I didn't already have an outfit, anyway. I did, however, walk out of the store with a great casual LucieLu wrap dress for 20% off - I'm always in the market for casual, perfect-fitting dresses! If you're in the area, definitely check Boutique Larrieux out!

Ring & Earrings - Ruche

We're still enjoying our holiday vacation time at my mom's house, but we may be heading home tomorrow. It's hard to let this lovely quiet time with family ever end...

Cafe au Lait

I sure have been wearing a lot of this cream and grey (and animal print) business lately. What can I say? I'm a fan! But what really inspired this look was the complete outfit image from Banana Republic's (now almost completely sold out) The Mad Men® Collection. Cafe au lait leopard print, cigarette pant, bow-tie blouse. Yes. I tend to think that the look is more for the body of Betty than Joan, but I still love it. I don't have a black tie blouse, so I just wore a blank tank, but I think imma need one. And in lieu of the ever tricky ankle pant, I opted for my ever faithful pencil skirt. Might still try to get my hands on some grey ankle pants, though.

Leopard print cardigan - Banana Republic / Black tank - NY&Co. / Grey pencil skirt - NY&Co. /
Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I guess I don't have much more to say than that! Cardigan and pencil skirt - a tried and true combination for this curvy girl; leopard print - a lovely "neutral" print that I'm not likely to get tired of soon; Mad Men - will season 5 ever get here??

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Heels - Nine West /
Nails - "Frankly, I Don't Give A-Dam" (Sephora by O.P.I.)

Don't Blush

I got all dressed up today. I almost felt overdressed the way folks were carrying on about my outfit. Even if they were graciously complimenting me, I just felt so self-consciousness for some reason! I mean, when I walked into Hallmark to buy a birthday card this morning they couldn't get over my shoes and were totally amazed that I could stand upright in them! Truthfully, sometimes so am I...

"Piper" Dress - LucieLu / Instant Sleeves in Black - LucieLu

The occasion - part work and part girls-night-out birthday celebration (hence the birthday card) where the invite said "dress schmancy." I think lace and baubles qualify, yes? The dress is an iteration of this one from LucieLu. I liked the cut and shape of the first one so much that I'd been eyeing this particular color combination of black, blush and cream ever since. Such a pretty, girly pink that just makes me want to dress up! Yet again I wore Instant Sleeves, and while they do tend to cover up any embellishment on the shoulder, I thought the symmetry of the neckline here compensated for that.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I just feel pretty, ya know? =))

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - The Limited

Nude patent pumps - Guess (via Piperlime)

Don't forget to enter my two blogiversary giveaways for a fantastic necklace and a unique earrings/bangle combo!

For the Birds

I gotta say, Ruche is quickly becoming one of my go-to places for online browsing. Not only am I now addicted to their jewelry, and especially their rings, but I continue to find a few pretty fantastic clothing items as well. I fall into their curvy plus sizing for sure, and though their selection is considerably smaller and less diverse than the straight sizing, it's still definitely worth checking out.

Top - Ruche / Grey pencil skirt - NY&Co. / Nude pumps - Nine West

This top, the Cape Mead Top, is one such gem, and so "me." For some reason, whenever I look at these pictures, I keep thinking the print depicts birds in flight, but it's actually an abstract floral/leaf/vine print. I love its shades of blue (a color that always looks fabulous on me), its elasticized waist band, its bateau neckline and its kimono-like elbow-length sleeves. Often kimono sleeves look off-balance on me, but these have just the right proportion. It's also a perfect length that hits me just below the hips with the right amount of flare. Really, I think the top was made just for me.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I'm looking forward to wearing the top with everything from skinnes to more pencil skirts (thinking about a blue pinstripe or yesterday's grey tweed for next time), to olive jackets and yellow cardigans.

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Earrings - The Limited

If you haven't already, be sure to check out my two blogiversary giveaways for a fantastic necklace and a unique earrings/bangle combo!

Made for Each Other

Happy Monday, everyone! (Even though it's almost over. Thank goodness...) I thought I'd take advantage of a Monday off to finally post pictures from a wedding I attended in September. I guess it doesn't seem that far away, but I sure have been sitting on these for a while! The wedding joined two good friends of the family, and specifically of my sister, who'd been together for so long that their wonderful union was a matter of course. (Kinda like the BF and I whenever we decide to get hitched.) For Bob and I, not only was it a meaningful day to celebrate the special couple, but it was a chance to get home and see family, to get dressed up, and to enjoy the last bit of freedom we had before work got (very) crazy for the both of us.

Pezza Dress - Anthropologie / Nude patent pumps - Guess (via Piperlime) / Instant Sleeves in Taupe - LucieLu

And get dressed up we did. Our first few little snapshots (necessary, of course) grew into a sassified full-on photo shoot during cocktail hour. We had a few onlookers (the bridal party was away doing their own photo session), but I'm glad we got to document the day. Not only did I get pictures of myself (duh), but also of Bob (and his phenomenal new Oxxford suit - stay tuned for a probable guest post!), my glammed up mom, my sister (who was matron-of-honor), and of course the whole wedding event. Scroll down to the end of the post for pictures of all that awesomeness if you're interested.

My dress, the Pezza Dress, is one of the few items I've ever purchased full price from Anthropologie. I tried it on a whim, but the minute I put it on I was smitten. For such an amazing fit, special details and gorgeously saturated color, I needed to take it home with me that very moment. I haven't regretted it one bit.

Almond Tiers Necklace - Anthropologie

For accessories, I went with this amazing statement necklace, also from Anthropologie, and one I scored on sale for $10! I had gotten so many comments and compliments on the piece (many of them from men, interestingly), ranging from "Now that's a necklace" to "Did you buy the necklace especially for the dress?" Nope, I didn't, actually. For better or for worse, I buy my jewelry purely because I like a piece, that it stands out to me in some way and that I could see myself wearing it. It's only when I'm actually putting outfits together that I really figure out what jewelry I have works with what. So I guess when I decided to wear this necklace with the dress, I apparently struck gold! It doesn't "match" per se (and good), but it does add such a striking bit of color and attention to my neckline that they really do seem made for each other. I therefore went neutral with everything else, from the Instant Sleeves in Taupe to the gold flower earrings to the topaz cocktail ring to the nude patent platforms. My favorite Lodis clutch, one I grab whenever a special clutch is called for, complemented the color palette surprisingly well, too.

Dot clutch - Lodis (eBayed) / Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed)

I can't help but share a few shots of the others, too, especially since we all looked so good! First my mom, looking as pretty as can be (and styled by my sister and me). We put together this look piece by piece, each on super-sale! The belt didn't even come with the dress, which was a sheath, but you'd never know it!

Dress - Talbots / Stretch navy belt - Kohl's / Navy satin clutch (TJ Maxx) /
Grey patent heels - TJ Maxx / Peach wrap - mine (eBayed) / Necklace - Talbots

My fabulous sister and I. Though it looks like we could be twins, right down to the hairdo, we are actually three years apart. (I'm the old one.) We had some goofy outtakes, but I thought I'd go with a semi-distinguished one instead. =)

See, Kinsey? Just rock the bandaid. =)

Bob and I. Seriously, that suit is amazeballs. We'll definitely be doing a guest post on it. He's pretty darn hot, I must say...

Grey Suit - Oxxford (via Filene's Basement - a mega-score) / Pale green button-down - Banana Republic /
 Baby blue tie - Banana Republic / Pocket square - Banana Republic / Shoes - Donald Pliner

Last but not least, the ceremony, the lovely couple, and their remarkable son. It was a beautiful day for the wedding of a beautiful couple.

Kirsten, Steve, and Austin, thank you for letting us be a part of your special day!

P.S. Be sure to enter my two giveaways for the necklace and earrings/bangle combo!

I Feel Pretty

Whoa boy. Where to start. Another busy week means blogging sadly takes a back burner again. I've been pretty good about snapping some pictures at some point in the day, however, so I'm glad I can take some time (when I can) to go back and document these outfits! So, I think I'll start with my favorite outfit from this past week (Wednesday, as this post is dated) - and favorite pictures, too!

From the Meadows Tank - Anthropologie / Open cardigan - Gap / Grey pencil skirt - Chloe Dao (eBayed)

The top is a gem, plain and simple. It just makes me feel....pretty! It was an Anthropologie sale find at the end of last summer, and though I wasn't sure I'd be able to get much wear out of it in the colder months (and I didn't), it remains one of my favorite tops. It is just so beautifully cut, and those floral corsage-like appliques are fabulously decadent. I think it brings nice attention to my decolletage and face, while its peplum design floats over all the bobbles in my midsection. It is a sleeveless tank, though, so I chose to add a lightweight open cardigan to cover my arms. While it hit near 70 today, I'm not quite ready to bare 'em...ever...

Handbag - Gustto

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - LOFT

With all the sweetly neutral tones of the top, cardigan and skirt, I added pops of color with my accessories - bright turquoise in my earrings and ring; and bright fuchsia in my handbag.

And oh yeah - check out my pumps, people (as I'm apparently doing in this picture). These open-toed patent nude platforms from Guess are KILLER! I did feel like a giant in them today (and one visiting artist even said as much) - making me hit over 6' easily. Surprisingly, they weren't all that uncomfortable, though!

Nude patent pumps - Guess "Hondo3" (via Piperlime)

I experimented with a few new locations today, too, and I'm digging the diffused light of location in the first few pics above, the blooming yellow bush behind me above, and he play of shadow and direct light in this one below. I still feel like a freak show when I'm out and about posing and whatnot in front of my neighbors (something I don't think I'll ever get over, either), so I'm glad some of these new locations offer both privacy and good lighting. =)

Le sigh. Such a happy, flattering, special top. =) It's exactly the kind of top that brought me to Anthropologie (and keeps me there) in the first place.