Pretty in Pink

Today didn't start off all that great. It was definitely one of those days that I wouldn't know where my head was if it wasn't attached. Ever have those days? Yeah. After settling into the evening with my staff and a busy night of performances, things finally started to gel a little bit. Slightly alarming that it wasn't until 6 hours into my day, though...

Pink exposed seam cardigan - Banana Republic / Dot-print tank - Urban Outfitters / Grey wide-leg pants - NY&Co.

I'm submitting a petition to extend my expected graduation date tomorrow. (It's supposed to be this May; I'm obviously nowhere near that.) It's a pretty routine thing, so I'm told, but it does mean that I'm going to try to give this (my dissertation) a real go. The class that I'm auditing this semester has final paper topics due next week. Now, because I'm auditing, I don't have any course requirements to fill, but I had suggested to the professor that I just might use the final paper option to help me write a chapter of my dissertation. So, there it is. If I'm gonna do this thing, I just better do it, no?

Silver belt - LOFT / Black pumps - Nine West

As for the outfit, I didn't feel like trying too hard today. Of course, that always means that it takes me twice as long to find something to wear. (Thus one of the reasons my day didn't start out so great.) Ironically, this was the first thing I pulled out of my closet, and I only came back to it after wasting too much time and spewing too many clothes all over the floor. You know what they say - always go with your first choice...

It's the accessories that made the outfit, though. Until I added the belt and jewelry, it was just kind of frumpy cardigan ensemble in (what I thought at the time) boring colors. The belt helps define the waist, of course, but all the muted silver really underlines a certain prettiness about the outfit, the centerpiece of which is the petal pink cardigan.

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - NY&Co. (?)

The Silver Lining

I had a hard time with the photography yesterday. It really shouldn't take 3 hours for a photo shoot, should it?!? I think I've just needed to get better acquainted with my digital point and shoot (Nikon Coolpix), so I've already started to see some improvement. I also have a tripod coming my way (thanks Amazon Prime!) so that will definitely help, especially since it will now allow me to take pics on my own in the morning daylight.

Today is a better day all around, though. It's Day 3 of this blog (Day 2 of my outfit diary) and already I'm thrilled by the results of "shopping in my own closet" and a newfound sense of styling creativity totally inspired by the countless other fantastic fashion blogs I've come across.

Today's outfit is brought to you by skinny jeans! More importantly, it's brought to you by my growing confidence of myself in skinny jeans. Wearing them has opened up all sorts of possibilities in my wardrobe that totally excite my styling juices. Sure, I'll don them with boots, but I had rarely worn them with a flat or wedge since I was always self-conscious of my thighs.  But, seeing so many other pics of fabulous looking curvy ladies rock them has helped me lay that aside... So here I am, complete with a little gladiator wedge, a layered/fuller top, a brightly colored bag, and an even brighter outlook.

Dark skinny jeans - Gap / Grey shrug/open cardigan - Maurices /

Royal blue printed shell - LOFT

Silver necklace - LOFT / Blue stone earrings - LOFT / Silver bracelets - NY&Co /

Sterling silver flower ring - TJ Maxx

Pewter gladiator wedges - Payless / Fuschia handbag - Gustto "Pavia", BBOS Private Sale

I think I'm ready to try my skinny jeans with a stripey top and cute flats ala the Audrey Hepburn look that is all over the fashion blogiverse right now...  stay tuned! =)

How do YOU feel best in your skinny jeans?