Pep Club

I begin with a few thoughts: 1) veggies drizzled with beurre blanc is a little like devils dancing mischievously in heaven; 2) wine and/or a perfectly brewed/frothed latte makes most, if not all, things better; 3) it's no wonder I can't get my weight under control when my life seems to revolve around the glorification of food and drink; 4) I ate my veggies today!

Peplum is the one trendy trend that I've not always had a lot of confidence wearing, and one I can't say I've fully jumped aboard. I understand the "theory" behind it: create a smaller waistline by way of a slightly exaggerated hip. But it's that whole exaggeration of the hip that I don't wanna always, ya know, exaggerate. Moderation is key! But you know me, I'm such a sucker for this kind of silhouette, so I had to give it fair play. I've indulged in only a few pieces so far: a cute printed top and a faux-peplum dress (but I dunno if side gills really count =7), both from Dorothy Perkins. And then I stumbled upon this delightful little color-blocked incarnation from Ruche - neutral black and tan set against a vibrant blue is totally up my alley - and I caved. Besides, color-blocking + peplum = double trend score!

Top - Ruche / Pencil skirt - Charter Club (Macy's) / Heels - Max Studio (via DSW) /
Handbag - DKNY (via TJMaxx)

I will admit the top is a wee bit smaller than I would like, but it didn't come in a bigger size (boo) and I thought I could make it work. And I hate paying for return shipping. And I really liked the top. I really love it with this slim black pencil, and to be honest, it will probably be the only way I'd want to wear it.

In other news, I wait with bated breath for Sephora's VIB discount in order to chip into my growing wish list. I'm especially in the market for a new eye cream. Thinking about Ole Hendrickson, but do ya'll have any faves?

Necklace - The Limited / Ring & earrings - Ruche

Ladies Who Lunch

Before I inundate you with more maxi dresses, I thought I'd offer a bit of respite with, oh I dunno, a pencil skirt. I figure it's been a little bit you've seen me in one, anyway.

Lunch at My Place top - Modcloth / Pencil skirt - Macy's (Charter Club) /
Sandals - Christian Siriano for Payless / Handbag - Banana Republic /
Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Lane Bryant

Alas, pencil skirts are not quite the thing for work these days. Just a little too dressy for the likes of the casual, quiet days in my cave of an office. But throw in a midweek, midday reception, and I've got a reason to don one. Especially when it's practically a duplicate of this favorite pencil skirt/embellished tee ensemble. (Just a difference in colors - and at least 5 pounds...) Here's the kicker: the ivory version of the tee was purchased at Ruche for $33; the blue version was purchased at Modcloth for $25. Same designer. Things that make you go hmmmm.... And thanks to reader Liv who recommended these nude sandals from Payless! Cute, comfy and just the look I've been after.

Happy Friday, everyone! Bob's birthday is this weekend, and it will be filled with lots of cute outfits and delectable dining. Oh the pictures I'll have to share with you next week! I hope to have a Weight Watchers update, as well - all good things. =)

Think Pink

I can't decide if this pencil skirt is too big or if it's just right. When I had the size smaller, I felt it fit too closely 'round my (round) belly, but it seemed to sit nicely on my waist and hips. This one, a size up, lays nicely over the belly (even if it wrikles constantly), but it sits a littler lower on waist than I would like. (Oh, what's that? Get it tailored? Oh sure, I'll get right on it...) I have to say, though, that it feels pretty great when I wear it, so that might answer my question.

Boatneck top - Gap / Pencil skirt - Macy's / Belt - Dorothy Perkins

The color palette for this outfit was reworked from this one. I simply love this boat neck top - so soft, comfy and feminine...a pretty pink I want to wear all the time. Since I wear pencil skirts all the time, I thought this outfit was a good solution.

The blue belt replaced the blue of the denim; the light tan skirt replaced the jacket; the pink top, of course, got to stay and even gets to show off a little more. My delightfully green alligator-print handbag brought a bit more color to the mix. I love this bag.

Handbag - Banana Republic / Peep-toes - Banana Republic

Alright, dears. I now sign off for my weekend of graduation frenzy. See you on the other side!

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

Blue Skies

Now I know why movies go overboard with rain scenes, even if it's not really raining. The colors and light after a rain are so lovely! And we've been getting a good dose of rain in these parts, complete with quite a scary tornado warning. Forunately, it blew over, but man I hate tornadoes.... Rain and thunder? Always. Hail and green sky? Never.

Cardgian - LOFT / Tank - Anthropologie / Pencil skirt - Macy's /
Sandals - Nine West (via Endless) / Handbag - Coach (gifted)

Pencil skirt and cardigan? Always. It's clearly yet another outfit formula of mine, in fact. A part of me just wanted to wear this outfit again, but I figured since I had, like, a zillion pencil skirts - and cardigans - I could probably put together a different combination.

The skirt is the camel sister of that coral one of mine. I thought I'd try going to down a size with this one, but it's a little too close of a fit for my liking, so I'm going to go back up. True story: I ordered these skirts in three colors in three sizes in three separate orders. I'm not typically that patient when it comes to online shopping, but I was willing to get it right. (Free shipping and 25% off an already discounted price helped.) One thing I do not have is return guilt, that's for sure. Oddly enough, the sales clerk didn't seem to bat an eyelash at the big ol' return, either.

Necklace - Anthropologie / Belt - The Limited / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Ruche

But anyway, blue cardigan, animal print belt and - oh, what the hell - green sandals. Just in time before a sunny, humid, 90° weekend hits. So long, spring. Take your damn tornadoes with you, too.

Dandy Lion

So what if I wore this same color palette nearly all last week? I guess I've been on a taupe-black-green bender. And I still might threaten to wear more leopard and teal this week, too. In fact, I think you can count on it...

Black cardigan - LOFT / Taupe pencil skirt - NY&Co. / Cami - Anthropologie /
Bag - Coach (gifted) / Heels - Nine West

Color palette aside, I'm not in love with the outfit. A bit of boredom, a bit of poor fit. Well, you can't win 'em all. I do love the scarf, though. Truth be told, the entire outfit was built around it, inspired by my last wishlist set of unexpectedly complementary taupes, greens and blacks. I have a few more ideas up my sleeve ('round my neck?), but I think this post has successfully convinced me that it's time to loose 15 pounds for a new taupe pencil skirt.

Dandelion print snood - Dorothy Perkins / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - The Limited

A Perfect Mix

I've been plotting this outfit for a while now. I've had the skirt since the fall and the wrap sweater since last winter, and the minute I saw them together I was struck by how complementary they were. If the first rule of pattern mixing is to make sure prints are in the same color palette, these two pieces - with their shared oranges, golds, greys and blues - perfectly comply.

Piece-A-Plenty cardigan - Anthropologie / Plaid pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Cream cami - Anthropologie /
Handbag - Tano / Blue faux-suede heels - Payless / Necklace & Earrings - LOFT / Ring - Banana Republic

It was just a matter of throwing on a camisole and wearing accessories that got out of the way (blues were my preference) and I had an outfit. I feel very (and unintentionally) pro-Illini, too.

Lady in Red

The shoes make it. At least that's what an older gentleman patron told me after one of the performances on Saturday. It goes without saying that I agree. =)

"Marilyn" sweater - Lane Bryant / Black pencil skirt - Simply Be /
Ostrich belt - Banana Republic / Leopard heels - Max Studio (via DSW)

I had known that I'd wear this recently purchased red sweater of mine at some point during Nutcracker weekend. I mean, it's red, and it's the holidays - a no brainer. I also knew I wanted to wear my fabulous leopard print pumps again with the sweater (as I did for the first wearing with jeans), so it was just a matter of picking a pencil skirt and the right camel-colored belt to tie it all together. Some delightfully basic pieces made even more amazing with some fierce accessories.

Amazing enough for a random patron to approach me in the lobby and tell me so. Not a bad day. =)

Handbag - Furla

Ring - Banana Republic / Earrings - The Limited