Jungle preppy [outfit]

Target Dress - 2011 - $12 on sale / J.Crew outlet belt - 2011 - $5 on sale / Nine West shoes from Marshalls or Ross - 2011 - $25 (using birthday money) / Banana Republic necklace - 2010 - $12 on sale

One of the biggest changes to my wardrobe now that I'm not in an office anymore is my hemline. For work, I was a staunch knee-length skirter. Any shorter seemed scandalous. Sure, I wore shorter skirts on weekends, but after dressing up all week I usually stuck to plain jeans. 

But now? Well, you've seen me lately. Those longer skirts have been gathering dust in my closet. I must be making up for lost time or something. This dress is one of my go-tos, and I've been switching up belts each time. Today was pink's turn. In my mind, green + pink = preppy. Love it.

Casual Tuesday [outfit]

Gap blazer - 2006 - $40? / Ann Taylor outlet top - 2011 - $20 / Rockabilly jeans from Renew Denim - 2010 - $30? / Calvin Klein pumps from Off Broadway - 2007 - $70 on sale / Braided leather belt from Bows and Arrows - 2010 - $12 / Oblong hoop earrings, probably from Target or Kohl's - 2009 - cheap

Back in action after Thanksgiving! It was so nice to see friends and family, and totally gave me new motivation to get to work. We did our regular rounds: K's grandpa's house (Thanksgiving Day), my parents' house (home base), my girlfriends (twice!), and K's best friend (though we could have done without the food poisoning).

Since this was our first trip together since we moved out to Miami, I learned a few valuable lessons. First, FLL is not always cheaper than MIA, but MIA is always closer and should be chosen whenever possible. Second, red-eye flights, once my saving grace when I was young and energetic, are a really bad idea now. My body does not adjust as well as it used to. Our return trip started at 11pm PST and ended at 12:45pm EST the next day, and it still cost an arm and a leg. Um...anyone want to do Thanksgiving in Miami next year? I'm volunteering to host.

Back to the outfit.

We're finally getting into winter here Miami, which means it's in the 70s now. So I pulled out my trusty blazer. Although I usually wear it open, it was looking a little boxy so I buttoned it up. Not bad, still fits. I really liked the classic silhouette and how the color of the top and the sleeve lining really pop. I stayed with a brown belt on this even though I'm wearing a black blazer and shoes (and used a black bag, too).

My formula for mixing black and brown is either multiples of each, or multiples of one and a single pop of the other (yes, I totally made this up on my own). I'll rarely wear just one brown item and just one black item, but if there are three or more black/brown opportunities, I'll mix it up.

What "rules" have you made up for yourself (sartorially or otherwise)?

Church hopper

Ann Taylor factory store top - 2011 - $30 on sale (similar) / Merona trouser jeans via Target - 2011 - $18 on sale (similar) / Enzo Angiolini Maylie pumps via Nordstrom - 2007 - $70 on sale (similar) / Forever 21 leaf necklace - 2010 - $5 (similar)

[Worn: 09.04.11 | To: Church and lunch]

If you're following along with Dressy September over on Facebook, you've already seen this outfit, but there's no commentary or details there. This is what I wore on Sunday to check out a new (to us) church in downtown Miami.

Something I've noticed about moving around a lot (and knowing people that move around a lot) is that everyone has different MOs for meeting new people. Sometimes it's work, sometimes it's through friends you already know, sometimes it's classmates. For me, it's usually been church. Attending and participating in a church is important to me for many reasons, but camaraderie is one that anyone can relate to, even if you're not religious.

When I moved to Davis, I was brand new at work and the other new girl I worked with did not like me at all. K had lived there for two years already, so most of my friends right off the bat were K's classmates. They were in class when he was in class, and they were studying when he was studying. I love these folks a lot and many of them are dear friends of mine now, but it wasn't helping me branch out at first. It wasn't until we found a church to call home that I began making my own friends (OK, they knew K, too, but I like to count them as mine).

We've been here about a month now and have tried three churches: one was recommended to us by a friend, one is where K's cousin and his family go, and the other we found on the Internet. We're leaning in a certain direction although we haven't really settled on a home church yet, but I'm excited about what we've seen and experienced so far.

What's your MO for meeting people when you're new in town?

Last hurrah [outfit]

Mossimo dress via Target - 2011 - $20 (similar) / J.Crew belt - 2011 - $10 (similar) / Kate Spade pumps - 2011 - gift (similar) / Premier Designs faux pearl strand - 2010 - free with purchase (similar) 

Outfit analysis: I love how the color gray can be paired with almost any color for a different feel. I love the softness of the pink and pearl, and the pumps keep it ladylike. I just love love love this dress, and hope to find a way to wear it even though I'm not in an office anymore. I wore this last Wednesday for my official farewell happy hour.
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Goodbyes are hard. Did you know that? The past weekend has been so full of emotion, which is a weird feeling for me. This certainly isn't my first goodbye, but for some reason it's the hardest. Leaving college, I knew I'd be back in Orange County for holidays. I fell in love with New York, but wasn't all that close with any of my classmates so that wasn't so hard. Even our recent farewell trip down to Southern California wasn't too bad, since our families are there and we'll be back. But Davis and Sacramento? This is hard, and I wasn't prepared for this. I thought I'd be fine to keep blogging and packing and seeing friends until we actually get in the car and drive out of state on Friday, but I'm not so sure anymore. I've got some super guest bloggers that will be featured over the next few weeks, but please bear with me through this transition.

How do you deal with goodbyes?

The brighter, the better [outfit]

Hawaiian dress - 2011 - swapped (similar) / J.Crew belt - 2011 - $10 on sale (similar) / Nine West pumps via Ross - 2009 - $25 (similar) / Faux pearls (similar)

Outfit analysis: This dress is a tad loose, but a skinny belt cinches it in nicely. I love the fullness of the skirt, the front pockets, and the bright colors. Simple accessories let the print be the star of the ensemble, although I think I could have coordinated the shoes better with my other accessories.
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I'm going to be honest—I wasn't so sure about this dress. I grabbed it off the table at a swap, glanced at the size and saw it was somewhat around mine, and took it home with me. It sat in my closet for months, and I glided right by it for many an event...weddings, dinners, graduations. It caught my eye at the swap, but for some reason I hadn't even tried it on once since I brought it home.

One day I decided I had to try it. I'm purging as much as possible before the move, so I needed to know if this piece would work or if it needed to be tossed. Gosh it was pretty. The colors were so nice. The fabric is heavy and elegant. The pockets are adorable, even if they do form a slightly unflattering dropwaist look. The length was perfect.

I zipped it up, turned around...and was not all that impressed. It looked pretty shapeless. I apparently had swapped on one of those days where I mis-perceived my own size (in no small part due to the crazy large lunch I had right before hand). If I'd been buying this at retail, I would have needed an entire size down. But it wasn't retail, and there wasn't another. The label is some Hawaiian sounding brand I can't remember (and I'm at my parents' house typing this so I can't check). So it was either make do or throw out.

Last ditch effort: belt it. And wha-la. The dress lives to see at least one more day. Still not sure on the shoes, though...what color shoes do you wear with such a loud dress?!? Even so, I'm glad this piece found its place in my closet. This sheath-lovin' gal has found a place in her heart for an A-line dress. World peace is possible.

How many chances do you give a piece before you pass it on to its next destination? Do you kick it out once it stops working for you or do you hang on just a little longer?

First lady [outfit]

A'gaci blazer - 2011 - $26 (similar) / Ann Taylor Factory Store top - 2011 - $20 on sale (similar) / LOFT pencil skirt - 2009 - $13 on sale (similar) / Kate Spade pewter pumps - 2011 - gift (similar) / Natural pearls - 2007 - gift (similar) / Nancy Rosetta circle ring - 2010 - gift (similar)

Outfit analysis: Speaking of small steps, this is the fourth time I've worn this blazer, and the first time I've busted out of the white tee - blue jeans combo. I started this look with the top untucked and a black belt around the natural waistline, but a) it just didn't look right and b) it definitely didn't look right once I added the blazer. I could probably have added a belt onto the tucked look, too, but I like it without just the same. And something about wearing a colorful outfit makes me reach for these shoes, but I'm not complaining.
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I'm not actually a first lady (duh), but my husband does study the presidency and the piping on this jacket is just so DC chic that I went for the title anyway. But come to think of it, this outfit looks kind of like it could have been picked by the fabulously stylish Michelle Obama herself. Classic pieces. Fun colors. A mix of affordable (LOFT, A'Gaci) and high-end (Kate Spade). My husband always gets asked if he plans on entering politics (the answer is no), but if he ever did, I think I know what I'm wearing to his swearing-in.

Who is your style inspiration? What draws you to their style?

Tweaking the formula

H&M Cardigan - 2009 - $30 (similar) / Ann Taylor outlet top - 2011 - $20 (similar) / Old Navy trousers - 2006 - $6 (similar) / Calvin Klein pumps via Off Broadway - 2007 - $70 (similar) / Boys belt - 2010 - swapped (similar) / American Eagle outlet necklace - 2011 - $4 (similar) / Nordstrom stud earrings - 2010 - gift card (available)

Outfit analysis: It wasn't until I got home that I realized that this outfit is almost exactly this outfit, but with a different but still jewel-toned shirt and different but still pointy-toed pumps. You might call it a rut, but I call it having a consistent style (err, I will start calling it that, at least). But really, the proportions of this outfit work really well, so why fix something that's not broken? The best part is that this outfit formula works just as well for spring as it did for fall. An outfit for all seasons is all right with me.
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So remember the first time I dressed to go to the tailor at lunch? Yeah, well this is what I wore when I went back. In the back of my mind I was thinking of my lunchtime errand, and the pieces themselves aren't too complicated (the top has a lot of stretch so it's an easy on/off), but then I go ahead and put my hair up into this ponytail. It looks simple, but it has many parts. So there went my plan of easy undressing (not something I normally dress for, by the way).

What makes this ponytail so interesting? Well it's two ponytails—one on top (which I poufed up a big for body) and one on bottom to catch the rest of my hair without making the poufy ponytail too heavy and weighed down (my hair is not too long but it's pretty heavy). Then I took a piece of hair from where the ponytails met and wrapped it around both ponytails and pinned it. And it worked! Sort of. The poufiness stayed all day, which is no small feat for my limp hair, and no one was the wiser. Unfortunately my hair is layered so the wrapping was very messy, as you can see. Anyway, definitely a hairstyle to try again another time—practice makes perfect!

Oh yes, and my closet inventory from this weekend revealed a surprising fact—I have quite a bit of pink. three shirts, a tank, a scarf, and a dress. This may not seem like a lot, but it took me until I was in my 20s for me to even touch the color, so it's major progress.

Do you have an outfit formula? What item in the formula do you swap most often?

Introducing my new boyfriend

The Rundown
Target tie-neck top - 2010 - swapped (similar)
Loft boyfriend cardigan - 2010 - Christmas gift (available)
Loft pencil skirt - 2009 - $13 (similar)
Argyle tights via Kohl's - 2009 - Christmas gift (similar)
Aerosoles pumps - 2007 - $30 (similar)
Outfit total: $43!

My new boyfriend sweater, that is. (Helllooooo...happily married woman here.)  I wore this on January 11, so it was my first wearing in the office since I got this sweater for Christmas. I've gotta say, all my expectations for a boyfriend sweater were fulfilled and then exceeded. I love this thing to death and it's been hard trying to keep myself from not wearing this every day.  Seeing that I had "boyfriend cardigan" on both my blog wish list and Christmas list, my mother-in-law walked herself to the nearest Loft store and asked the gal about this "boyfriend cardigan" thing she'd heard of. Thank you, C (and the Loft lady)!

This outfit is a little librarian-chic...a little tie-neck here, some loafers there. And of course, the cardigan. The pics above are a little wrinkly, the result of 9 hours in an office chair (I've been good about bringing in lunch lately).

What worked
The colors. The proportions.  After months of tucking things into pencil skirts, it was nice to keep things a little loose.

What didn't
The blockiness of brown on bottom, gray on top. Next time I might try this with gray tights to make the look a little more cohesive.

Have you ever had high expectations for an item of clothing? Were your expectations fulfilled or did the reality fall short?

Last long-haired look

If you ever wonder what I studied in grad school, just look at my bookshelf.  This is my stack of schoolbooks...the rest of our bookshelf is mostly K's school books and leisure reads for me a.k.a. lots of nerdy books.

The Rundown:
H&M cardigan - 2009 - $30 (similar)
Target top - 2010 - swap (similar)
Old Navy trousers - 2006 - $6 (similar)
Enzo Angiolini peep-toes - 2007 - $70 (similar)
Urban Outfitters double-finger ring - 2010 - gift (here)
Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure in Touch of Mink (bought at Ulta; can't find online)

What worked:
I loved the colors of this outfit.  I'm not typically a toned-down, pastel kind of gal, but I just loved this floaty top I got at the swap I went to recently (I actually almost purchased it when it was in the store in the first place).  This outfit is pretty basic, but I did like the softness of the fabrics and colors.  This is the softer side of me (had to throw in some dark nails and a badass ring to balance it out)

What didn't:
The cardigan when unbuttoned was a little shapeless, but it wasn't on all day (I had to conduct a training session and when I get nervous I get warm).   I think next time I'll try a structured blazer with this top+pants combo.

Do you tend toward pastels and soft colors or bold brights?

Taking a stand

I love the feeling I get when I put on a pair of shoes that I know are fabulous and won't kill my feet (hard order, but I have a few).  Lately my "power shoes" are my Target gladiator platforms.  Today's outfit was planned around those.

Earrings: Vintage - 2010 - $10; Blouse: Banana Republic - 2008 - $20; Layering tank: Old Navy - 2008 - $6; Belt: Vintage - 2010 - $12; Skirt: The Limited - 2009 - $20; Shoes: Target - 2010 - $25; Bag: H&M - 2007 - $45; Sunglasses: Target - 2008 - $17

Yup, it's the tulip skirt again.  This time, belted!  In addition to the shoes, I had to get some blood drawn today, so I went with a sleeveless shirt (had a cardigan on in the morning, though).  Other than that, today's schedule included a phone interview and a refreshing lunch in the park with my friend Ashlee. 

A note on modesty -- You'll find that I layer shirts a lot.  Part of it is out of habit (I used to layer all the time, regardless of outer layer and season), but most of the time it is out of modesty.  This shirt, although the neckline itself isn't that low, is super-billowy, so even the slightest lean forward would cause it to fluff out.  While it might not always be a bad thing, it most definitely is not work appropriate.  A fitted cami does wonders at covering up your precious parts without adding bulk.

I'm getting a little tired of wearing this same belt, but it's the only thick one I own.  I have the hardest time shopping for belts and could use some help.

Where do you find the best belts (and belt deals)?

Lighten up, it's Tuesday!

For no good reason, I've decided I should title my outfit posts with the day of the week it is.  Trying to gear my brain up for the upcoming headline writing season.  So, my dear readers, you'll have to suffer through the duds so that the magazine at work can get my gems later on.  That's just the way things go (unless you want to pay me to come up with good headlines).

Today was a complete wash--that is the world was awash with gray, the sky with clouds, and the ground with rain.  My ankle has been sort since Sunday evening, most likely the result of weeks in heels and shlepping around the Asparagus Festival on Saturday in unsupportive sandals (yeah, my feet feel old).  So today was a flats day.  And tomorrow will be, too.

Aside from that, I generally tried to keep my spirits up by picking some light and bright (not to be mistaken with Light Bright) colors.

Blazer: Old Navy - 2008 - $40; Blouse: Banana Republic - 2007 - $20; Necklace: gift;
Pants: Old Navy - 2006 - $20; Shoes: Target - 2010 - $18

So after a long residence in my closet, this blazer is finally getting some wear.  I got it with matching pants, so it's technically part of a suit, but why limit it to just that?  These shoes I bought just a few weeks ago, when I was sick and needed some retail therapy (it works, trust me).  So I bought myself a pair of clearance shoes at Target (I know, I'm wild).  I desperately needed some brown/tan flats (all of mine are black, red, or glittery), and these can work in the office and pull together a casual weekend outfit.  *love*

A close-up of the shoes.  I'm typically not a fan of bows, but these aren't overly girly.  Also, you can see here (sort of) that the pants are pinstriped.  They were one of those so great I bought two (I had a pair in gray that I recently retired after wearing them to death).  They were a great buy on a grad student's budget.

Details: Ruffled blazer, ruched blouse, and natural pearls.

Not bad, considering this is the only pair of dress pants I have that I can wear with flats.  And I got called into two impromptu meetings today, so I'm glad I made the extra effort with the blazer.

What adjustments do you make when your normal style gets off track?

Good parking, good day

It's amazing how much of my mood can be affected by parking situations, both at work and at home (I have to scour around for street parking in both places).  Today I was able to get a non-hour-restricted spot at work during my 2 p.m. move (most blocks around the office are 2 hour parking).  And then when I got home, on this, the busiest day of the week downtown (our Farmer's Markets are famous, or something), I got a spot half a block away without having to circle around (major score--last week it took 30 minutes to find a spot 1.5 blocks away).  Thank goodness, too, because I wore the shoes of death again today.

Yes, that's what I'm calling them.  For now, at least.  They kill me.  My feet were dying by the time I reached my office at 8 a.m. (not a good sign; see my daily walking schedule here).  By noon I had to take them off for part of the walk to my car.  Have not tried my trusty gel inserts in these yet, but definitely picking those up before I wear these shoes again.

But enough about the shoes, the rest of the outfit was to die for (har har).

 

Dress: Target - 2009 - $17; Shirt: H&M - 2006 - $12; Belt: Vintage - 2010 - $12; Tights: no idea;
Shoes: Jessica Simpson - 2009 - hand-me-down

I felt really girly today, and slim, since the belt hits right at the bottom of my ribcage.  And looking back (sitting here in my jeans and tank), it's much cuter than I remember even from an hour ago.  Funny how our perceptions are so fickle.

I bought this dress last year because it was cheap. I didn't need it. And for a while, I didn't even like it.  It didn't fit very well.  And it was way too long.  But I kept it. I hemmed it (messily--this was before I had a sewing machine). And I belted it.  I guess this dress was my first foray into the belt trend.  It is a bit more A-lined than I would prefer (I think it would be better with more of this shape), but the fabric is nice and heavy so it holds it's shape well and is really easy to take care of (it's even a pull-on dress...no zippers or weird hooks or snaps anywhere).

Some deets:

While I usually wear this dress just on its own, this morning the neckline felt super-wide and empty.  So I tossed on a blouse and a necklace.  I like how it turned out.  The pink really balanced out the neutrals in the rest of my outfit (black and gray, how original).

This dress is one of my most modest ones, yet the hem still hits a few inches above the knee (I just noticed that today--I don't wear this dress much).  Is that okay in your workplace, or do you stick to longer skirts just to be safe?

Ode to winter

As the first day of spring approaches, it's looking more and more like winter could possibly be over for good. Today's outfit was one of my favorites that I tossed together this winter, and it was hardly bearable since it was so warm outside. But wear it I did, and will soon put it away for the spring, summer, and fall (or parts of it, at least).

 

Scarf: Gift - 2008; Sweater: Gap - 2005 - $19; Tank: Target - 2010 - $6.50;
Skirt: O'Neill (purchased at Marshalls) - 2007 - $12; Boots: Nine West Outlet - 2009 - $50

This outfit is cozy, comfy, and cute. I didn't have any meetings today, but this could easily have been more meeting appropriate if I'd taken off the scarf and put on a pearl necklace.

Do you have a winter outfit you'll miss now that spring is upon us?

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Sale alert!  There's a Nine West studded peep-toe that looks almost exactly like the Enzo Angiolinis in my post on studs is on sale on the Nine West website!