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.

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? 

4.27 & 4.28.10 In earlier news...

Looks like I’m really terrible at blogging every day. I usually upload things to flickr and then vow to come back and blog later but naturally, that often doesn’t happen. But that’s okay, right dear readers? Let’s rewind then…

pink flutter-sleeve top--Banana Republic
navy vest--H&M
trouser jeans--Banana, remixed
rubber rhinestone flats--J.Crew, remixed
green polka dot scarf--American Eagle, old

I forgot to mention that it was also Awkward Photo Day. I was rushing up to beat the camera timer and I just made it, hence the uncomfortable pose and facial expression. Don’t mind me. Tuesday was a no-wash-hair day partially because I wanted to sleep instead and mostly because the weather was so gray and misty, there was just nothing to be done.

In other, happier news, my pub trivia team continues to dominate and I'm happy to report that Tuesday we won for the FOURTH week in a row. I have such smart friends--way to go guys!!

Now, vests are always one of those items of clothing that I think looks so cute on other people but that I can’t seem to style myself without feeling overly masculine or boring. I loved this little fitted one at H&M and I think it’s the snug fit and brass button details that make it special. Putting it with a t-shirt and jeans isn’t exactly inventive, but hey, vest-a-phobes have to start somewhere.

Are you a vest-wearer? What do you wear with them with besides jeans?

And lastly, a word on these flats. Have I sung their praises yet? They’re several years old from J.Crew and were probably about 40 bucks when I bought them. BUT…they’re rubber, they bend in the middle, they have cute rhinestones and they’re made for the rain. I’ve definitely worn them enough that they cost less than a $1 per wear at this point and they make rainy days just a wee bit more bearable.

Wednesday….

black "petals" cardigan--LOFT, sale
pink lace cami--Banana Republic
green peacock belt--Modcloth, remixed
gray denim pencil skirt--BR Outlet, remixed
magenta tights--Limited, remixed
patent wedges--Banana, remixed

I realize I look preggers here, but I promise you it is simply the way the skirt pokes through the slinky fabric of this camisole. I’m back in full swing of my 1/2 marathon training and let me just assure you, these are not the best shoes to wear on your day off from running. The balls of my feet are still a bit sore and it’s not from the 5 hilly miles I ran last night. It’s funny how sometimes I can run all over campus in heels with no problem and then there are days when my shoes HAVE to come off as soon as I hit the office. I definitely notice that I veer more towards flats when the weather is warmer since I want to be outside and walking more often.

Aren’t the details of this cardigan cute? I love the little chiffon petals and covered buttons that take it up a notch from just another lightweight sweater and the black means you can wear it with anything.

Of Taxes and Haircuts

Well hello there...

Today I mailed our taxes, had free Starbucks coffee (for bringing in a reusable mug) and got bangs. That's the big news. My husband, who is kind enough to always be honest with me, sees only the 80's of his childhood in my new haircut, but I love walking out of the salon feeling new and different, so I'm a fan. I especially like it pulled up with just my bangs in front, but that will have to wait for another day. I live quite the exciting life, let me tell you...

After heels and dresses all week, I was ready to be super comfortable and casual today, my "Friday" as I work Sun-Thurs most weeks.

never mind that large orange bag of dirty laundry...

I like the contrast of the heavier metal necklace with the sweet ruffles of the vest and the floral pattern on the flats. And my feet and knees were grateful for a break from the heels, for sure. I've had this shirt for years--since I worked retail at Banana Republic during grad school. You'll notice roughly half of my wardrobe stems from those years of 50% off--not my thriftiest time, but certainly good investments were made that I would NEVER pay full price for now. And I love, love, love these denim leggings from the Gap that actually look like jeans but feel like pajamas. They have pockets and everything! Fancy!

navy boatneck tee--Banana Republic, retail days
gray ruffle vest--H&M
long chain necklace--Simply Vera @ Kohl's
gray denim leggings--Gap, remixed
orange patterned flats--Old Navy, remixed