Back to Belting

September 12, 2010

teal cardigan—Limited, remixed
brown sequin tank--NY&Co, remixed
white braided belt--American Eagle, remixed
polka dot skirt--H&M, new!
black peep-toe flats--Madden Girl via DSW, remixed
pink earrings--free from a goodie bag

T- four days until the camera and I are reunited in the Great Northwest!

This outfit was so cute and these pictures are so bad—boo!  This skirt was a recent pick-up at H&M for less than $30 and it’s a nice, comfy elastic waist with a pretty flared shape.  LOVE.

September 13, 2010

striped shark-bite tank—Express, remixed
ruffled miniskirt--Express, remixed
long gray cardigan--NY&Co, remixed
locket--American Eagle, remixed
black wedges--Madden Girl via DSW

These shoes were also a recent purchase (I guess I got bored while the husband was away?) at DSW and I. Love. Them.  I had been lusting after a pair of Steven Madden buckled wedges that were just a bit pricier than I would have liked and so I never bit the bullet and bought them.  Then I found these and decided they fit the bill for a chunky, harder-edged black wedge that would transition from summer to fall perfectly.  My husband says they’re “hideous” but I can walk in them blister-free and like the departure from my usual footwear choice.

Mardi Gras Comes Early

September 5, 2010

Dress—Cache, birthday gift from the Momster
beige pumps--Madden Girl via DSW, remixed
bronze earrings--Target, remixed

So, as you can see I’m still camera-less.  Additionally, I thought I would present you with the chaos that has been the apartment in the husband’s absence.  Guess we know who does all the housework around here.

Isn’t this dress gorgeous??  My mommy picked it out and sent it to me for my birthday last month and I love it.  I think it fits my new-found curves perfectly and the pattern isn’t something I would have gone for on my own, but I LOVED it once I tried it on.  Go Mom!

Heat Wave

August 31, 2010

blue crochet tank—Anthropologie, sale
white bermuda shorts--American Eagle, remixed
red striped wedges--TOMS, remixed
earrings--Frog & Toad, remixed

This pretty tank was one of my birthday gifts to myself, from the sale section of Anthropologie.  I meant to take a detail pic so you could see there are tiny clusters of beads on the flower print.  I love it and think it will work under jackets and things for the fall as well!

I also forgot to put up a picture from Sunday so you could see that I did, in fact, wear a skirt-suit.  Oh yes.

Pretty hilarious, if you ask me.

28 of 30

August 1, 2010

blue tube dress—J.Crew, remixed
white lace top--Forever 21, remixed
big brown belt--Banana, remixed
red striped wedges--TOMS, remixed
yellow necklace--Limited, remixed

Slowly, slowly….we are getting there.  The challenge is almost over and my closet feels like a department store full of shiny new things. 

I told you this tube dress was versatile—I finally wore it as an actual dress today, under this lace top for church and then on its own for a picnic in the park with friends.  It really makes the perfect shape skirt when belted and a great empire waist dress or bathing suit cover-up.  Have I mentioned I love it?

In case you were wondering why my hair looks greasy, curly and pulled back in nearly every picture lately, I desperately need a haircut AND it’s that point in the summer when it’s just too hot (and time consuming) to break out the hairdryer and I can’t stand it on my neck.  I may go for style from the neck down, but on my  head it’s all practicality, people. 

House Marmie

striped shirtdress-J.Crew, old
silver t-strap sandals--J.Crew
orange necklace--10,000 Villages, remixed
blue headband--aerie, remixed
I think I felt like I needed to compensate after two less-than-full-coverage outfits in a row.  :)  I don’t consider myself a conservative dresser despite my occupation (more on that another time), but something about the low-cut top on Friday night and the super short skirt yesterday made me long for a skirt I could genuflect in comfortably, flat shoes, and a ponytail.  I guess I just crave balance?

I’ve had this dress for years and years and years and I still wear it at least once a season.  It was on sale at J.Crew when I bought it and even though it seemed like a lot of dress for someone as short as I, I just loved it, especially with flat sandals.  It’s airy and breezy while still completely modest and the tie-waist and pockets are perfect complements to the ever-so-slight seersucker fabric.  And the sandals are another purchase from J.Crew many moons ago.  The silver has actually worn off underneath since I’ve lived in them for about three summers now.  Price per wear?  Definitely under $1!  Yes!

Zac Posen for Target

polka dot dress—Zac Posen for Target
blue double-buckle belt—Old Navy clearance, remixed
black lace cami—Target, old
white socks—Target, old
gladiator platforms—Simply Vera, remixed
green earrings—gift from husband

So this is what I wore Sunday to Masses and running around.  My mother-in-law and I went to a local plant sale and I picked up some herbs and flowers for the porch—so excited to get some pots and soil and make our balcony summery!!  Not that I know anything about plants—check in within a few weeks and I’m sure I’ll have forgotten to water them or the cats will have eaten everything or something.



This is one of my two purchases from the new Zac Posen collection for Target.  I’ve read a lot of mixed reviews and I have to say I agree.  While I loved this dress and the other (soon to be debuted!) piece that I purchased, I really didn’t like everything else.  And, as many have pointed out, it runs super small.  I went up one size in this dress and in all honesty, could probably have stood to go up one more size.
I’m also trying out the socks & sandals trend—much to the confusion of my students at Mass this morning.  While I think it’s cute overall, I think it cuts off my legs and leaves me with a bit of a stumpy effect.  I also had to throw on an old pair of socks (with dogs & the word “woof” on them, but nevermind that) because I didn’t have any cute eyelet or sheer ones.  So maybe those would work better?

What do you think?  Can you rock the socks & sandals?

Edited to add: I just saw this on Jezebel: http://jezebel.com/5540978/socks-and-sandals-a-meditation
Thoughts?

J.Crew circa 2007

green cords--J.Crew, old

brown liberty-print shirt--J.Crew, old

taupe cardigan--Limited

blue suede flats--Chinese Laundry via Macy's clearance, remixed

I thought I was finished with Operation Wear It or Lose It, but these pants really do fall into the category of used-to-love-but-are-now-outdated-but-I-still-can't-give-them-up.  I really do feel like I'm party of a J.Crew catalogue from around 2006-7 since both the liberty-print blouse and the pants are from there during that time frame.  It was also FREEZING today with crazy high winds despite the sunshine. 

Weekend Wear

Saturday we had our semi-formal work banquet to thank all of our student volunteers.  I was running around all day to get things together but once I went to the event, I wore this.

black bubble dress--Express

black sparkle peep-toes--Unlisted by Kenneth Cole

pink feather headband--Forever 21

multimedia necklace--Express

pink pearl necklace--J.Crew

layered pearls--Forever 21, remixed

chandelier necklace--Limited, remixed

It was also Kentucky Derby Day and as I was feeling a little homesick, I wanted to be a little more costume-y than just semi-formal.  I don't have any giant hats, so I stuck a feather on my head and put on most of the big necklaces I own.  It was a lot of fun!!

Sunday was a lot more low-key.  I did throw on a dress and heels for Masses, but in between I settled for something more casual for hanging around the house and outside.

khaki jacket--H&M

orange polka dot tee--American Eagle

sailor shorts--H&M

moccassins--American Eagle

raindrops necklace--Limited

silver headband--Anthropologie, remixed

Merging Winter & Summer...

white floral applique dress--Forever 21

long gray cardigan--NY&Co, remixed

blue double-buckle belt--Old Navy, remixed

gray diamond-print tights--American Eagle, remixed
riding boots--remixed (tired of these yet?)

I just wrote a whole post and somehow deleted it when I hit "publish." Clearly, I have yet to figure out exactly how Wordpress works to my best advantage. :(

Even though today is rainy and sub-55 degrees, I refuse to dig out my winter clothes now I've packed away most of my cold-weather closet. I'm also tired of waiting to wear my cute sundresses and summer clothes, so I decided to wear this sweet dress today and winter-ize it. It's pretty sheer, so I wanted a longer cardigan that would keep me warm and give me some coverage, as well as the tights. Obviously, I belt without abandon and wear these boots every day that it's not 75 degrees and sunny.

At first, I thought the combo of the airy dress with the heavier and darker sweater, tights & boots would seem like I was confused about what season it was, but I think it works. Plus, I was warm and comfortable for running around today and I really like how the sweater frames the pretty neckline and delicate buttons on the placket of the dress that might otherwise get lost in the babydoll shape. Perfect!