Can't Help Myself

So I broke down and bought this purple pencil skirt. I held off for awhile, believing I really didn't need it. You can imagine my pride that I could actually say no to a pencil skirt... Well, then 50% off happened, and I caved.

Top - LOFT / Pencil skirt - eloquii / Heels - Max Studio (via DSW)

I caved especially when I was pinspired by the combination of navy and purple in this image. I had practically the same top and knew it would pair beautifully with the skirt. The colors may read a bit autumnal, but I love the simple elegance that these colors create together.

Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

I was intrigued by the black accents in the outfit image as well, so I wanted to incorporate it similarly into my recreation, even it was just the handbag. I wasn't convinced that black shoes would be great, but the more I look at the image, the more I wish I had taken a chance with a pair. Black and navy might be one of those pairings that seem odd or clash, but, like brown and black or brown and grey, there's something about the combination that feels classic to me.

But, I mean, leapord print shoes seem like a pretty fabulous choice, too, no?

Ring - Banana Republic / Earring - Ruche / Nails - Love & Acceptance (Essie)

Candy Land

The moment I had purchased this skirt from Dorothy Perkins, I knew my first wearing would be just like this. Yet another successful Pinterest inspiration! Yet another happy stripes purchase!

When I first saw her pictures, I thought the belt was red - a pairing I've come to love and was eager to replicate. But when I looked closer at the pictures when it came time to put together the outfit for myself, I realized the belt was pink! An even better, brighter, more colorful pairing. The cheeriness is infectious.

Ring - Ruche / Belt - Talbots / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Earrings - Banana Republic

But seriously, taking outfit inspiration from Pinterest is kind of like stealing candy from a baby. And this outfit kind of looks like candy.

Cardigan - LOFT / White tank - Anthropologie / Striped skirt - Dorothy Perkins /
Handbag - Gustto / Platforms - Nine West "Hopefloat" (via 6pm.com)

A Bright Future

I blame Sal from Already Pretty and one of her Insomniac Sale Picks posts for making me think I needed a bright-colored blazer. And then I blame this pin for showing me an excellent way to wear it. And then I blame Gap for offering 40% of any full-priced item. Clearly, I did not act of my own accord in this situation.

Bright ponte blazer - Gap / Striped top - Gap /  Black pants - NY&Co. /
Belt - The Limited / Handbag -  Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it - hot pink is not in my usual wardrobe vocabulary. And as trendy as neon colors seem to be for spring, I'm not usually one to follow trends just for the sake of following a trend, either. But then I got a ton of compliments on the blazer, and it fits very well and is pretty darn comfortable. (Ponte, duh.) So, crap, now I might have to keep it.

Necklace - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Earrings - The Limited / Ring - H&M

So tell me how else I can wear it, k?

Mad About Plaid

The sale room at Anthropologie is a magical place. I walked passed this jacket a few times during my last Anthro trip in Milwaukee's Third Ward, strangely attracted to its rather loud bouclé plaid. I mean, at first I was even slightly repulsed by it, but I just kept coming back to it, each time more charmed by it. As I do with anything that catches my eye, I checked the size (it was the only one), then the price. (Is it even worth it?) A 12, a size smaller than my usual, and $70. But wait! Sale items are 50% off - it's $35!!! That did it, I had to at least try it on. As I suspected, the jacket was much too snug in the arms and across the chest, but I really started to love the look of it on it me. The plaid may have been intense, but it had a wonderful color palette, great cut, and pretty flawless construction. Yes, I needed this - if only my size! I was actually wearing the same thermal tee, skinnies and boots at the time, and it was clear that, had it fit, I would have walked straight to the cash wrap just as I was...

Tartan Boucle Blazer - Anthropologie / Thermal tee - Anthropologie / Dark skinnies - Gap /
Boots - Coconuts "Walker" via DSW (gifted)

But what the heck, I would give hope a chance and ask if other stores might have a 14. With customer serivce not to be outdone - the Friday before Christmas, mind you - the sales associate spent at least 15 minutes on the phone, finally hunting down the jacket in the NYC Times Square store, of all places. (Seriously, her patience and perseverance on my behalf was incredible.) Triumph! The jacket was mine!! For $35 freaking dollars!!!

Earrings & ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - Anthropologie

Later that night, I happened to be perusing my old pins on Pinterest and found - much to my amazement - this very pin from the Anthropologie cataloge. What the what!? "Pretty much want everything here," I noted. It seems I had been lusting after this jacket the whole time! Though I obviously love the jacket with skinnies and boots, I have every intention to style it as Anthro-imagined for next time. (This may be next week, incidentally.)

It seems my subconscious shops just as much as I do.

Handbag  - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

Black and Blue

I recently purchased these black ankle skinnies from Lane Bryant for a song. (In fact, my size was the only one they had left! 'Twas meant to be!) I figured they were a good basic that I should probably have in my closet, no? Especially on clearance, no?? So when I saw this pin the other day, I thought, "Hey, I can do that!" What's funny, though, is the last thing I would have thought to wear with black skinnies would be a blue button-up. But I liked the simple, classic look of it, especially with black flats and the longer line of my tunic version of the shirt. (Excuse the massive amount of wrinkles, by the way.) It's also very similar to the last time I wore the top, so it was already a silhouette I liked - and oh-so-comfortable! Once again Pinterest inspires me in unthought-of ways.

Blue pintucked belted shirt - The Limited / White camisole - The Limited / Black wedges - Payless /
Handbag - Furla Piper Small Cartella Bandoliera (via BBOS)

And the bag! The bag! My rewards balance at BBOS was just sitting there, so I figured I'd snatch up this lovely little snakeskin Furla, especially after they had just tweeted about it. Expect to see her often over the next month!

Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Maurices

How Pinteresting!

I think of all the style inspiration sources out there, Pinterest has become one of my most utilized. I'm most drawn to the format and the ease of the site, where I'm continually finding images of styles (from friends, virtual friends, and even total strangers) that I know I not only can recreate with my current wardrobe, but will look good on my body type. This outfit is case in point!

Army green vest - Lane Bryant / Beige cami - Banana Republic / White pencil skirt - Talbots / Belt - Banana Republic

I first came upon the original pin thanks to Tina (whose style I seem most often to emulate), and not only did I already have all the pieces, but it gave me a great way to wear my new white pencil skirt!

And here I am, the consummate girl-on-the go (in her own backyard in front of a camera)...

Handbag - Tano / Shoes - Payless

And hey, lookie! I'm finally sporting the necklace I won from Ariana's CatMooreDesign Giveaway  way-back-when! I love the pop of color it gives the otherwise neutral hues of the outfit - which, I just noticed, is reminiscent of the teal shoes in the runway picture inset in the pin!

Necklace - Cat Moore Design (giveaway) / Earrings - Dress Barn