Missing Pieces

August 5, 2010

printed miniskirt—Express, remixed
white tank--Banana, remixed
gray knit blazer--Gap, remixed
green beads--J.Crew, old
silver t-straps--J.Crew, remixed

Somehow when I was catching up the other day I skipped from Wednesday to Friday without posting Thursday’s outfit—must have been the post-challenge celebration-induced stupor…

This skirt was another item I wanted to wear and had even debated including in my 30 items, but ultimately didn’t.  I really love the pattern and fun ruffles and that after lusting after it for a bit, I finally got it on sale.  I tried to office-ify it here by putting a knit blazer over my tank top, but seriously, I’m basically breaking every professional rule in the book: I’m wearing flip-flops and a miniskirt to work, after all.   Yay summer!

August 7, 2010

purple maxi dress—Forever 21, last year
green sandals--American Eagle, remixed
earrings--Forever 21, remixed
sunglasses--Target, new!

Although this maxi dress was a staple for me last summer, this is the first time I’ve pulled it out this year.  I love the rich color and halter neck of this one and it’s like walking around in a nightgown, which is always a bonus.

I haven’t exactly been a shopping animal since my ban “ended,” since the husband and I are buckling down to get out of debt by the end of the year.  SO excited for that possibility that even if I buy nothing between now and January 1, 2011, it will be worth it.  I’m not promising that will be the case (dare I even hope that it’s not?), but we have concrete goals and putting money towards things other than credit cards will be lovely.  Ugh.

In any case, I did purchase a new pair of sunglasses at Target since the ones I’d bought from there three years ago randomly cracked and broke for no apparent reason the other day.   Practical purchase?   Yes.  But also thrilling given the lack of spending I’ve done over the last month.

See?  It did work!  I’m overjoyed at a pair of $15 sunglasses and still realistic about going spendy-spendy. 

For now.

26 & 27 of 30

July 31, 2010

black patterned shirt—Banana, thrifted & remixed
floral skirt--H&M, remixed
peeptoe flats--Madden Girl via DSW, remixed

Some more photos from this weekend…

I threw this on when my husband and I decided last-minute to go see Inception on Saturday afternoon at the IMAX.  We loved it!  The big screen and effects were pretty fun, not to mention the fact that we snuck in our own snacks and wine in coffee mugs. :)

white tank—Banana, remixed
floral skirt--H&M, remixed
blue belt--Old Navy, remixed
gold sandals--Madden Girl via ebay, remixed
pink beads--Banana, retail days

Later, I changed into a tank and sandals to go downtown for Waterfire.  It’s kind of a big deal. 

 

Wishing for the Weekend

black tank--Banana, retail days
pink tutu (!)--Forever 21
platform sandals--BCBG via DSW
yellow sunbeam necklace--Anthro, remixed
bumblebee clutch--J.Crew sale, remixed

Well, I’m back in lovely New England after an amazing week with my family down South and thanks to our lack of air conditioning, it is just as hot way up here!  Somehow when summer comes, I can’t remember what it feels like to freeze all winter and come winter, I forget that it was ever hot and humid.  I do love having the seasons though and it’s fun to experience all of the activities (and outfits!) that go along with each. 

I came home and jumped right into a crazy weekend catching up with friends after being away, hitting up the beach for the first time this summer, and watching lots of World Cup soccer.  Saturday was RI Pride Day so we headed out for the infamous parade and let me tell you, it was a site to be seen.  Tons and tons of people everywhere of every single persuasion you can imagine—amazing to see such an open and supportive community.  I loved it.  AND, I took the opportunity to bust out my new pink tutu from Forever 21 because really, what event calls for a tutu more than a pride fest?  I kept it simple with a black tank and beige platforms and one my favorite statement necklaces.  I realized as I was getting dressed that I am severely lacking in plain, solid tanks to put with fun skirts and shorts.  Any suggestions on where I should pick some up?


purple ombre maxi dress—Old Navy
orange lace tank--American Eagle, old & remixed
green sandals--American Eagle, remixed
black beads pendant--Forever 21, remixed
black "possibilities" cardigan (below)—Anthropologie sale

This is what I wore to work today, a maxi dress made a little more office-appropriate with a cami underneath and a cardigan on top (below).  I still love the maxi-trend since it accentuates my best half and gives me some coverage and space over my bottom half.  Plus, when left unbelted, it’s really like wearing a nightie all day—can’t beat that!

After I put the orange under the purple dress, I decided to just go for it and create a triad with the green sandals.  I think it turned out fun and colorful without looking too cartoonish.

Happy Monday!

05.22.10 Collection 2010

purple top--H&M
brocade skirt--Zac Posen for Target
grommet belt--American Eagle, old
nude platform sandals--BCBG via DSW
gold disc necklace--Limited, remixed

Fun, fun!  After an impressive display of sleeping in, I went with a group of friends to the RISD Apparel Design’s annual runway show this afternoon!  The students are beyond talented and the show is such fun—they’re so creative and impressive in what they produce at only 18-22 years old.  I’m always awed and humbled seeing these young artists really meet their potential.  I couldn’t take photos at the show itself, but as soon as some surface online, I’ll be sure to link to them and show you my favorites!

One of the neat things about the show is that they actually put some of the pieces up for sale afterward.  How neat to own a completely original design by someone who very well may be the next big designer.  The first half of the show focuses on design challenges that they held during the semester (e.g. coats, non-fabric materials, knitwear) and the second half showcases the senior theses complete with videos of their inspiration.  It’s a fantastic event and definitely not something I get to do every weekend so I was so honored to get to go and watch the show.


This is what I wore to the show: overdressed per usual. :)  This skirt was my other purchase from the Zac Posen collection at Target.  I love the pleats and the gold woven into the pattern to make it a little more special.  I actually didn’t realize just how short it was until I saw these pictures!  Oops.  I might have to be discriminating about where I wear this piece at that length. 

I put the purple top with it trying to play up the yellow and gold in the skirt and then added the grommet belt and the heavy necklace to try and roughen things up a bit in light of Jessica’s challenge!  It turns out I don’t really have any “heavy” accessories, so I have to work with what I’ve got.  This closet is full of ruffles and florals and skirts and sparkle, what can I say?



These sandals are a new acquisition as well and I am in love. After eyeing these pretty much ever since they came out, I’ve been on the hunt for some pretty champagne-hued platform strappy sandals. These fit the bill AND were less than half the price of the Coach ones! I’m not saying that they were a steal at $69.95 (especially for DSW, let’s be honest), but I’m hoping I get several summers’ wear out of them.



Hope your weekend was a great one and thanks for reading!!

05.21.10 Hot Child in the City

pink tank--J.Crew sale, old
yellow sunbeam necklace--Anthropologie, remixed
jeans--Citizens of Humanity, remixed
brown kitten heels--Macy's clearance, remixed
silver earrings--American Eagle, remixed
bumble bee raffia clutch--J.Crew sale


For our fourth anniversary, the Husband got us tickets to a Josh Ritter concert in Boston!  We’ve been fans for a long time and the new album is no exception.  The show was great and it was such a nice night for walking across the Commons! 
Hope you had a great Friday!

This is Why You Don’t Sleep on Wet Hair

striped blazer--Limited, old
blue floral blouse--H&M
jeans--Joe's "Provacateur" via ebay
orange patterned pumps--Madden Girl, DSW
red pendant--jewelry shop in Sarasota, FL
These photos were brought to you courtesy of a bad, bad hair day and a dark and rainy afternoon that made picture-taking outside impossible.  Blargh.
These are probably my favorite jeans, even though I always forget to wear them.  On a whim a couple of years ago, I tried on a bunch of designer jeans at Nordstrom and then went home and searched on ebay for my size in a more reasonable price range.  After a few weeks, I found these Joe’s in the petite cut: the “provacateur.”  I love the dark wash and they fit me better than any pair I’ve ever owned. 
I also love these pumps, but they’re not my most comfortable: case in point, I have a sizable blister on my left pinkie toe after walking around moving my car every few hours today. 

But aren’t they pretty??  :) 

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

4.30.10 Colors!

colorblock dress—Urban Outfitters
teal cardigan--Limited, remixed
silver sparkle tights--American Eagle
purple mary janes--Madden Girl, remixed
orange patterned scarf--Target

This is what I ended up wearing last night to drinks & dinner with a friend of mine. It was Dining Out For Life night so we went to a participating restaurant and had an Indian feast. :) I had to wear comfy shoes for walking almost a mile to the restaurant and it was still chilly out, hence the layers and scarf.

watercolor-print dress--H&M
purple flats--remixed
yellow earrings--bridesmaid gift
This dress was $12. That’s all I’ll say. It’s a cute babydoll shape, if a little short for work and the pattern is so bright and cheery. Sorry for the shadows in these pictures: we tried taking them on the porch and the afternoon sun was falling in patterns that made it impossible to get a shot without shade. I didn’t bother to get better pictures since you’ll be seeing a lot of this dress in the near future. Prepare for my summer uniform: knit dresses and flip flops! Can’t wait!

Today was such a beautiful day!

Catching Up, Part Deux

gold ruffle blazer--Anthropologie, remixed
purple satin cami--Limited
trouser-leg jeans--Banana Republic, remixed
black pointy flats--DSW, remixed
long chain necklace--Simply Vera, remixed

Continuing to catch up, this was what I wore Tuesday night to go to an Equal Pay, Equal Work Happy Hour sponsored by NOW and to our usual Tuesday routine of pub trivia. It was actually warm, but I knew I'd want the blazer for walking between locations and flats for the same reason. This was such a fun night!

green jersey dress--Urban Outfitters
white crochet cardigan--H&M
gold disc necklace--Limited
orange patterned flats--Old Navy, remixed

For Wednesday, I finally wore this gorgeous green dress I bought a ways back but haven't been able to pull out yet. I love how comfy it is but how it also really is special with the wrapping across the bust and the bright cheery color!

Lacking Inspiration

Blah. I know I just started this blog and thus should probably try to be upbeat and happy to garner readers, but you know what? Today was just one of those lackluster days that we all have. It's not that anything bad happened at all--it didn't. I think it's more of the burn-out that inevitably happens at the end of the semester whether you're a student trudging through finals, faculty grading all of those finals, or staff trying to wrap things up as students buckle down to write. The weather has turned and is nice and warm--we're actually having spring in New England!--and that means I want to lay in the sun, walk the dog, and generally do things other than sit in front of a computer at work. Don't get me wrong: I love my job and recognize that I am beyond blessed to have this work, especially in a time of such rampant unemployment. But, having been at it for three years now (the longest full-time employment I've had thus far), I'm wondering about my own wanderlust tendencies as well. Too much personal info for a new style blog? Maybe, but my hope is to use the venture of daily outfit posts as a journal of sorts and a window into what each day brings, so there you have it. The plus side is that it's mid-April, Commencement looms, and I have a very flexible summer schedule. Yay for that.


Now, the real reason I'm here...some photos! This is what I wore last night to week 2 of the pub trivia tournament we're competing in and I know it's not super exciting, but I go with my husband and two guy friends, so it's not exactly a runway show. :) We won again for the second week in a row-woo-hoo!! It was fun to relax and have free drinks (the prize each week is a gift card so we haven't had to pay yet), even though I missed GLEE, which I'm going to watch online tonight after my run. Can't wait!

long gray cardigan--NY&Co, $7!
purple ruffle-collar tank--Limited, after-Xmas sale
skinny jeans--Gap, remixed
blue double-buckle belt--Old Navy clearance, remixed
riding boots--Aigner via Macy's clearance, remixed
green metallic headband--J.Crew, remixed
mother-of-pearl earrings--Florida, remixed

Forging ahead...on to today. It was a good thing I planned what I wanted to wear last night because I woke up SUPER late and had less than 20 minutes to shower and get out the door. Eek. Somehow I managed, even with crunchy hair (too much mousse, no glance in the mirror), no makeup, and a small run in my tights (mostly hidden by shoes). I love this dress and coat though. The dress is just a knit from Forever 21 and is super comfortable with it's elastic waist and the trench is nice and lightweight for this time of year. Perfect!

green sailcloth trench--Ann Taylor LOFT, clearance
floral-print dress--Forever 21
black tights--Limited, remixed
patent wedges--Banana Republic, remixed
sunglasses--American Eagle, remixed
bronze earrings--Target