Breaking the Silence

Remember when I used to blog??

Sadly, shortly after our great trip to the Northwest last month, I was taking daily outfit photos and dropped our camera for the second time.  The lens yet again got stuck and this time, it was irreparable.  Well, not totally irreparable, but expensive enough to make it not worth it.  We’re a bit in limbo at the moment as we want to purchase an SLR, but can’t quite justify the expense and yet don’t want to plop down the $200 for the ELPH again as well. 

I do have a borrowed one at the moment….so here are some old photos from the last *gulp* near month…

September 14, 2010

white pintuck tunic—H&M
glenplaid shorts--Banana Republic, retail days
gold flats--Target
filigree earrings--Express, remixed

September 16, 2010

chambray shirt—H&M
purple satin skirt--Limited, remixed
big brown belt--Banana, remixed
brown wedges--Payless, remixed

September 21, 2010

lace top—Forever 21, remixed
gray pants--Banana Republic, retail days
black peeptoe flats--Madden Girl via DSW, remixed

September 22, 2010

blue patterned dress—BCBG, thrifted
putty cardigan--J.Crew, remixed
gold flats--Target, remixed
gray sparkle headband--J.Crew, remixed
teardrop necklace--Limited, remixed

 

September 26, 2010

black & white dress—Anthropologie, remixed
gold flats--Target, remixed
yellow beads--Limited, remixed

September 27, 2010

gray molded & melded tee—Anthropologie, remixed
black capris--NY&Co, remixed
black wedges--Madden Girl via DSW, remixed
pink earrings--10,000 Villages, remixed

September 28, 2010

paisley top—Tucker for Target
gray ruffle vest--H&M, remixed
trouser jeans--Banana Republic, remixed

September 29, 2010

pink cardigan—Banana Republic, remixed
blue lace cami--Banana Republic, remixed
jeans--Joe's Provacateur via ebay, remixed
pearls--Forever 21, remixed
brown wedges--Payless, remixed

October 3, 2010

brocade pencil skirt—Tucker for Target
white ruffle tank--Gap, remixed
navy blazer--LOFT, remixed
beige pumps--Madden Girl via DSW, remixed

October 5, 2010

blue plaid shirt—Gap, remixed
gray skirt--H&M, remixed
brown plaid wellies--Banana Republic, remixed
red snowflake socks--J.Crew, remixed
beaded belt--Anthropologie, new!
mother-of-pearl earrings--Sarasota gift shop, remixed

As you can see, I’ve done a bit of shopping lately (shhh….) .  Several of the pieces I wore in these outfits were new, including the Tucker for Target top and skirt, the chambray shirt from H&M, and this gorgeous beaded belt from Anthro.  LOVE.

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!

A Wee Bit Fuzzy

September 2, 2010

blue shift dress—BR Outlet, remixed
orange scarf--Target, remixed
beaded wedges--Target, remixed
earrings--American Eagle, remixed

My husband needed the camera while visiting family this weekend, so I resorted to Blackberry-mirror photos and the result is less than stellar.  I’m not sure if the awful quality on these if the Blackberry itself, the reflection, the lighting…all of the above??  Bleh.

Bear with my for the next few days as I try to improvise!

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.

Semi-Professional

August 24, 2010

black & green sweater—LOFT, remixed
silver pants--Limited, remixed
patent mary janes--J.Crew, remixed

It was raining again today and so we’re still stuck with indoor photos.  For whatever reason, I wasn’t happy with any of the ones I took this afternoon, so here’s the best of the worst.  :)

With the rain, I wasn’t up for my rubber flats again or my wellies, so I went with patent pumps, which are basically waterproof anyway.  I put on pants that aren’t capris or shorts for the first time in….months?!  It was so strange, but I felt very professional all day with my pants and collar & cuffs.  Plus, these shoes are comfortable enough for walking from my car, taking the dog out, and running errands.  All that and a pop of pink patent peep-toe (say that three times fast!)?  Yes, please.

Some Randoms

Oh friends, it’s been far too long!!  Things have been busy with a whirlwind romantic get-away to Maine last weekend, and then my birthday and ensuing festivities this past week with another quick day-cation on Saturday.  Whew! 

Let’s catch up!  Brace yourself for a slew of outfit photos below and a recap of our awesome weekend away to come!

August 11, 2010

What:
yellow beach dress—J.Crew, old
white braided belt--American Eagle, remixed
espadrilles--J.Crew, old

Where:
This was just a work outfit on a day when I was feeling especially beachy!  I love this dress, but it’s old and the stays on the inside poke through the fabric and rub, making it incredibly uncomfortable.  Boo—but I was happy to get another summer out of it!

August 12, 2010

What:
red wrap shirt--Limited, old
black lace cami--Target, old
patterned skirt--Limited, remixed
peep-toe flats--Madden Girl, remixed
necklace--Limited, remixed

Where:
work!

August 16, 2010

What:
red striped tunic--Urban Outfitters, remixed
white pencil skirt--Limited, remixed
peep-toe flats--Madden Girl, remixed
double torsade necklace--Anthro, remixed

Where:
work work work

August 19, 2010

What:
corset dress--Urban Outfitters, sale
pink tutu--Forever 21, remixed
blue belt--Old Navy, remixed
double torsade necklace--Anthro, remixed
beige platforms--BCBG, remixed

Where:
It was my birthday so I took the opportunity to don a tutu :)

August 20, 2010

What:
floral ruffle top--Liberty of London for Target, remixed
black ribbon skirt--Limited, remixed
white braided belt--American Eagle, remixed
peep-toe flats--Madden Girl, remixed

Where:
office, lunch with a new friend!

What:
black & white dress--Limited, old
beige platforms--BCBG, remixed
earrings--Express, remixed

Where:
dinner with friends, surprise party courtesy of my sweet, sweet husband :)

That about catches us up…sorry for the absence—I’ve always been an excellent procrastinator, but it feels good to be back!

Poppy & the Real Girl

August 10, 2010

red patterned dress—Banana, remixed 
navy vest--H&M, remixed
green wedges--Madden Girl via DSW.com, remixed
gold earrings--Target, remixed

By now, you’ve inevitably seen the Coach Poppy Project on my site and, more likely, all over the internet on a variety of blogs.  Honestly, I first saw it on Third Floor Closet and thought, “How cute!  I love the flower decor!” before reading more and learning that it was actually a fun way to interact with Coach and Coach fans across the internet and give folks a chance to win some free Coach swag!  So, please, be my guest and play around with the banner here and elsewhere on the web.  Try tweeting with #CoachPoppy to make the patterns everywhere grow (or “liking” it on Facebook) or add my hashtag #gospelofstyle to give this one in particular a special boost.  Full info here.

Full disclosure: I just joined Twitter and have no idea how to use it.  So I just continually tweet Coach.  They haven’t kicked me off yet. :)

I have a lot of trouble styling vests, as it turns out.  I have a couple of them: this navy, fitted one and a gray knit, ruffled one and I love them both, but am never quite sure how to wear them in different ways.  They’re one of those items that look so cute on everyone else and so I’m inspired, purchase it, and then can’t figure out how to wear it.

That said, I like this nautical-ish navy vest over the print dress from last summer.  Although I feel like this dress is a tad snug /short /something not-quite-right, I really love the pleat in the front that gives the skirt some lift and I think the fitted vest up top accentuates that. 

Any other ideas for how to wear either of these vests?  Input much appreciated.

What items do you find look cute on others that you can’t seem to style yourself? 

The Irony of Victory Day

August 9, 2010

white ruffled tank—Old Navy ($5!)
madras miniskirt--American Eagle, old
red-striped wedges--TOMS, remixed
sunglasses--Target, remixed
bag--Coach, old

Oh Rhode Island…dear, sweet little Rhode Island.  RI is the only remaining state to celebrate Victory Day as a state holiday with closed banks, libraries, government offices, etc.  Never heard of such a holiday?  Congratulations—you live in an area that no longer commemorates dropping the atomic bombs on Japan during WWII.  Technically, the celebration is for the end of the Second World War, but it’s no longer a federal holiday because of the nature of that ending. 

Forgive my political rants, if you will.  I’m certainly thankful and awestruck by the men and women courageous enough to join the armed forces and fly overseas to the unknown and am horrified by the still-climbing death tolls in the current U.S. wars.  I’m just saying: there’s a (solid) reason 49 other states no longer claim Victory Day. 

But you’re not here for politics!  You’re here for clothes—to enjoy, draw inspiration from (What Not to Wear?), or offer feedback.  So, on to the outfit…

It’s still hotter than Hades here so breezy minimalism is where it’s at, as far as I’m concerned.  I bought this tank on super clearance for $4.99 at Old Navy pre-30 for 30 challenge and then didn’t wear it as I left it out of my 30 items.  It’s cute in the back too, with a racerback and continued ruffles along the edges. 

This skirt has been around for several years and while I still love the pattern, I no longer love the length or cut or the fact that it’s slowly become much too small for these thighs.  What do you think—consignment/Goodwill pile after this summer?

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.

Friday Dance

August 6, 2010

black wrap top—Ann Taylor, old
brocade skirt--Zac Posen for Target, remixed
blue belt--Old Navy, remixed
peeptoe flats--Madden Girl via DSW, remixed
gold necklace--Limited, remixed

Let me get one thing straight—my hair is only flat because I got it cut today and she kindly gave me a blow-out despite the insane humidity.  Hooray for my amazing stylist—I’m going back for color next week. :)

Next up on my post-challenge list was this Zac Posen for Target skirt that I had only worn once before and needed to get the cost-per-wear drastically reduced.

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. 

 

Some favorites

June 24, 2010

patterned dress—Ann Taylor, thrifted
pink flower pin--H&M, remixed
blue snakeskin sandals--LOFT, old
earrings--Simply Vera, remixed

These pics are from Thursday and this is probably my favorite thrift store find ever.  It was a brand-new Ann Taylor dress in my size, with the tags still attached.  AND it was a petite, which my super-short legs are always grateful for!  I found it last year and truth be told, I’ve not had as good of luck since.








June 25, 2010

pink lace tank—American Eagle, old
putty cardigan--J.Crew, remixed
gray denim crops--American Eagle, old
boat shoes--Sperry Top-Siders

Friday was sort of a crazy day with preparations to go to Boston on Saturday for my second half-marathon with Team Challenge.  I think I’ve mentioned previously that my husband has had Crohn’s disease for over a decade and last summer I got involved with the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation on his behalf and began fundraising and training to run a half-marathon.   I actually raised over $4200 last fall and got to travel to Las Vegas where I ran my first-ever half!  Mind you—I couldn’t run a mile without stopping to walk when I started the training last August. 

I had such an amazing experience and met so many fabulous and inspiring people that I stayed involved this season as a mentor.  The race was actually in Boston, so New England got to be the host team!  More on the details of the race weekend later, but all of this is to say that I spent Friday running around like crazy.  And making door signs for my amazing mentees!



Aren’t they pretty?  I shouldn’t tell you the secret in case any of you decide to take the plunge and train with Team Challenge, but we sneak around and hang them on the hotel room doors so they’re the first thing folks see when they leave in the morning to run their race!  It was such a neat surprise for me in Vegas!



My outfit was pure function and comfort today—tank, cardigan, crops, and BOAT SHOES!!!  I’ve wanted a pair of Top-Siders forever and my mom surprised me and sneakily bought me a pair while I was visiting family a few weeks ago.  I LOVE THEM.  They are buttery soft, completely comfortable, and apparently, right on trend this summer.  I’ll be wearing these a lot into the fall and winter with socks and jeans, too.   Obsessed.