The Shoe Grid [infographic]

Not all shoes are created equal, and not all are appropriate for each outfit. Pants and skirts of varying cuts and volumes look different with pointy-toed shoes than with round-toed ones, so how do you pick a pair each morning?

Have no fear, the Shoe Grid is here. Check out this handy guide to get the look you want.

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I left off square-toed shoes, because they are rarely seen these days (though I am a fan of them in flats and boots). Those go much better with pants than with skirts.

What toe-box is your favorite? How do you decide what shoe goes with what outfit?

All in the family [outfit]

Vintage sweater - given to me in the 1990s by my mom / Joie shorts from Nordstrom - 2011 - $26 (using gift card) / Old Navy belt - cheap? / LOFT sandals - 2009 - $10 on sale / American Eagle chain necklace - 2011 - $4 on clearance

I was digging through the boxes under my bed the other day when I rediscovered this sweater. It was my mom's before me, and was given to her by my dad's mom. It is unclear whether my grandma owned it and wore it before she gave it to my mom or whether it was purchased by my grandmother as a gift for my mom. Either way, it's older than I am.

Bonus—it looks like a sleeved version of the sweater Debbie Reynolds wore in the "Good Morning" segment of Singing in the Rain (my favorite movie of all time).

[Image source: Rotten Tomatoes]

Groovy [outfit]

Target sweater - 2011 - $20 / Target tank - 2011 - $8 / Old Navy jeans - 2009 - $12 on sale / LOFT sandals - 2008 - $10 on sale / DIY scarf / Kate Spade Doodle necklace - 2011 - gift

Friends, I have been on a roll lately. Just thought you'd like to know.

I've been on the hunt for a poncho sweater for a while, so when I turned around from the Target sale racks disappointed and walked straight into this gem, my brain nearly exploded. I rarely have gottahaveit moments, but I had a big one with this sweater, so much so that I bought it at full price (a rarity for me). I bought it a size too large because they didn't have my size in the store, but I like how loosey goosey it is this way. Definitely a new favorite.

Friends, I have also been on a majorly dramatic mood lately. Just thought you'd like to know.

Perfect [outfit]

Paper Tee plaid shirt from Ross - 2009 - $7 / Express jeans - 2005 - $40 on sale / Target flip flops - 2009 - $7 on sale / Gold-tone ring from Joanna Paige - 2011 - $16 (birthday money) / NYC Color nail polish in Flat Iron Green - $2

Not me, of course (how boring would that be?). I'm talking about this outfit. I know it's super simple, but I feel like I could conquer the world in this outfit (maybe from behind the computer screen or phone). I woke up today super-motivated and then got sidetracked by the computer, like most days. Logged in some work, did laundry, and ran errands with coupons.

Ah, coupons. I'm not a couponer, not because I don't want to be, but because I am not gifted in this area of shopping. I find most grocery store coupons useless because our local store doesn't double coupons ever and the store brands I buy are usually cheaper than the name brand on sale (or best case scenario: store brands on sale). I did have a bunch of non-grocery shopping coupons, so I went to see what there was to see.

The coupons I hate the most are the "Get $x off of your $xx purchase," because they are designed to make you buy more than you may actually want to or need just to get the deal. Several of the coupons I had today were of that variety. But I think I made out pretty well by keeping my total to just above the threshold. Still got a few things I didn't need (darn you, Target), but I can always return them.

Are you a couponer? What kinds of retailer gimmicks do you dislike the most?

Keep it simple, sillyhead [outfit]

W118 by Walter Baker dress - 2011 - $30 on clearance at Off Fifth Saks Fifth Avenue / Gap sandals - 2010 - $20 / NYC Color nail polish in West Village

It's been a few weeks, but I finally busted out the dress I bought myself for my birthday. Since K's present was so early in the month, I spent my birthday relaxing and doing an itty bit of shopping. I got this dress and new peep-toes from Ross—in total less than $60 of shopping for the day. Now that's what I call a treat.

I fell in love with this dress the instant I saw it, and that is why I only shop clearance racks at stores like Off Fifth (only sales racks everywhere else)...I hate falling in love with something only to find it's out of my budget for that type of item. $30 might be a little pricy for some places—I wouldn't pay that much for a dress at Target, for example—but for something that retailed at $225, $30 is a great deal. Some quick Google-ing after the fact revealed that W118 by Walter Baker dresses were on HauteLook a few months back for around $30-$50 (it was over by the time I found it so I'm not sure if this specific dress was available), so it's not too uncommon to find a deal like this, but I wouldn't have ordered it online anyway because of shipping and sizing.

Like always, the first outing is simple. I've already got my next wear planned out: light gray cami, black blazer, and nude pumps. Or a white button down underneath. Or maybe even over jeans. We'll see.

How would you style this dress?

Don't forget—today is the last day to enter the Jada's Jewels giveaway! Click here for details.

First of the month [outfit]

Nine West Vintage America Jeans top - 2010 - won from Nine West Vintage America contest (similar) / Black Orchid gray jeans via Renew Denim - 2010 - $25 on sale (similar) / Old Navy belt - ?? - cheap (similar) / Gap sandals - 2010 - $20 (similar) / American Eagle outlet chain necklace - 2011 - $4 on clearance (similar) / Tarte natural lip stain in Moody via Sephora - 2011 - $24 (available)

[Worn: 09.01.11 | To: Clean the apartment and go to the Dolphins–Cowboys game]

Happy September! Typically, I'd be waxing on and off about how I'm looking forward to the long weekend (and probably something about how it actually feels like Friday but it's really Thursday), but who am I kidding—I'm living one big long [working] weekend. It's not half bad, especially when you wake up and have a lot to say.

So three things for you today:

1. It's September! Also known as My Birthday Month. I have to admit, it's a little bittersweet this year. We know all of 5 people in Miami so far (and we don't know them that well), so birthday plans are really up in the air.  I love a good celebration, but don't want people to feel awkward being invited to a new acquaintance's birthday party.

2. I'm going to my first NFL game tonight! Sure, it's just preseason, but it's a Cowboys game, and they are my favorite sports team in the whole wide world. I have a jersey, but now that Barber's been traded, it just felt a little wrong, so this Cowboys-inspired blue and gray get-up will have to do. Now just to decide...keep the sandals or change into boots for the game?

3. It took me several tries to get this little tuck thingy down. Check out the losing tucks:

Losers 

 P.S. Lorena - I got my shoes in the pic! Took me a while to find a picture spot, but I think this one works. :)

How do you show your team spirit? Jerseys, face paint?

All that glitters

BR Monogram tank - 2011 - $15 on sale (similar) / Express low-rise flare jeans - 2005 - $20 on sale (similar) / Target metallic flip flops - 2009 - $7 on sale (similar) / Random rings on a ball chain

[Worn: 08.19.11 | To: Dinner with cousins]

I love these jeans. They have been a standby since I bought them my senior year of college. My weight over the past six years has fluctuated over a 15-20 lb. range, and yet these always seem to fit. Gotta love denim.

They only have one problem: the button eats up my clothes. The roughness or sharpness or something has rubbed little holes through so many tanks and tees that I stopped keeping track years ago. So it is with great risk that I wear these jeans with one of my new favorite tops, which I found marked down to $15 (from $98) at the Houston Galleria. I'm on the lookout for a new pair of go-to jeans that won't eat my other clothing, but nothing has fit the bill just yet. I'm also trying clear nail polish on the button, which I heard helps.

Do you own any destructive clothing? How do you minimize the destruction?

Twice as nice

Mossimo dress via Target - 2011 - $12 on sale (available in blue) / Gap sandals - 2010 - $20 (similar) / American Eagle outlet chain necklace - 2011 - $4 on clearance (similar)
[Worn: 08.17.11 | To: Target]

Ever have one of those mornings when you can't even put your clothes on the right way? I did. As I was about to take this dress off and put it back on the right way, I paused and noticed my reflection in the mirror. My biggest peeve about this dress is how the top sometimes gapes open, and all of a sudden it was a high-necked dress. So I left it. I don't think anyone really noticed, except for maybe the Target employees.

Have you ever worn an item backwards (or upside down or inside out)? What kinds of items work best for this kind of versatility?

Salute your shorts

Striped sweater via Marshall's - 2011 - $13 (similar) / Old Navy tank as undershirt - 2010 - gift (similar) / Joit cuffed shorts via Nordstrom - 2011 - gift card (available) / Gap sandals - 2010 - $20 (similar) / American Eagle outlet chain necklace - 2011 - $4 on clearance (similar)

Now here's something rare—shorts. Short-ish shorts. I don't think there's any debate over how inappropriate these casual shorts would be for the office, so let's just move on, shall we?

Shorts are a rarity not only on this blog, but also in my life. For nearly a decade, I swore them off completely. A terrible flare-up of eczema on my legs in high school (and the subsequent grossing out of classmates + teenage awkwardness) led to ugly scars, and I've rarely been without at least one flare-up since. For some reason, short skirts never got the ax, but I felt supremely uncomfortable in shorts. It wasn't until my first summer in Davis that I realized the relief they could bring in heat. And by that time (my mid-20s) I was over the fact that people might not be so comfortable with my eczema. It took me a while, but the answer to peoples' questions about my legs is now a simple, "Oh, that's just my eczema acting up."

Have you ever been self-conscious about something physical that was beyond your control? How did you deal with it?

Husband's day off [outfit]

 Final Touch top via Heart Clothing Boutique - 2011 - $34 (similar) / Mossimo tank via Target - 2011 - $9 (available) / Express low-rise flare jeans - 2005 - $20 on sale (similar) / Gap sandals - 2010 - $20 (similar)

Ever since we got slightly settled in (aka got the air mattress pumped and some ready-to-eat food in the fridge), K has been hard at work prepping for his new job! He is a college prof (hence his hesitance at being pictured on the blog), and school starts next week. Last week, he only took one day off...our anniversary! So what did we do?

Lunch at the Crepemaker

Haircuts at the Hair Cuttery (a traditional back-to-school errand)

Our near-daily Target trip (picked up a cheap iron so he's not all wrinkly on the first day of class)

Dinner at the Oceanaire (my mouth waters just remembering it...yummm)

I went along and got a trim, too, just to ease the growing out from my last cut. Then we got all spiffed up for our anniversary dinner. 

 Converse dress via Target - 2011 - $15 on sale (available online, but not on sale) / Classified glitter flats from random mall store - 2007 - $10 (similar) / Target earrings - 2011 - $6 (similar) / Kate Spade doodle necklace - 2011 - gift (available) / Gold plated leaf bracelet made by my friend S - 2010 - gift (similar, but mine has a chain and clasp on the underside)

Everything seems to happen for us in late summer (August and early September), probably since we've always been tied to the school year somehow. Eight years ago I met a cute fellow-resident-assistant in the dorms at UC Irvine. Four weeks later, he asked me out. Four years later, I moved back to California from NYC to marry him and was whisked off to Northern California. A little over four weeks ago, we left the only state he's ever known to start a new job and a new life in a new city. While it's certainly bittersweet to be so far from home and our friends, I love that we get to share this adventure together, just the two of us. There's something wild and romantic about getting our own little corner of the country to call our own. Don't get me wrong--I love my family and his--but I've always had an independent streak that has kept me from settling down or moving closer to my family. Miami, this unknown spot, barely touched by anyone else in our lives, is ours, and I like it that way. [end gushy rant]

Do you prefer living near friends and family or do you like to stake out your own spot?

Mix, don't match [outfit]

Recycled plastic graphic tee - 2010 - swapped (similar) / Mossimo tank as undershirt - 2011 - $9 (available) / Old Navy skirt - 2010 - $10 on sale (similar) / Gap sandals - 2010 - $20 (similar) / Vintage scarf via Bows and Arrows - 2010 - $7 (similar) / Target earrings - 2011 - $6 (similar)

If I could go back and do one thing differently when packing for the move, I would have nailed down some outfit ideas before I started tossing clothes into the suitcase. Then I would have been able to wear this skirt more. You see, it has this drop waist, and it sits sort of low on my hips. Most of my newer tops are also on the longer and looser side, and when shapeless meets shapeless (and you're on the road without a belt), you get major sad face.

Now that I'm indoors more and out of the heat, my graphic tees have made a comeback. They tend to fit a little more snugly and end a little higher up on the hips, making this skirt look a little less frumpy. Graphic tee + skirt is a little too reminiscent of my 19-year-old self than I'm comfortable with, so I tossed in the scarf and earrings for good measure. Even though the colors of the scarf seem to have no relation to the colors in the tee, if you look closely there's a similar grayish blue and red-orange tinge going on. Plus, no one's looking at the graphics on the tee closely enough to try to figure that out, right?  Perfect for my breezy day of shopping the Goodwill and getting stuck in a rainstorm and sloshing through 3 inches of water to get to my car. I love you, Miami summer.

How do you dress up a basic or too-casual outfit?

Starting fresh in Florida

Top via Marshall's - 2011 - $13 (similar) / J & Company jeans via Renew Denim - 2009 - $40 (similar) / Target flip flops - 2009 - $8 on sale (similar)

I'm baaaaaack! I hope you enjoyed my guest posters in my absence. We are safely in Florida, slowly getting settled in our apartment, finally back online...and still waiting for our stuff to come from California, where it is still sitting in a storage space. ETA: maybe by the 22nd, maybe not. In the meantime, I'm making do with my road trip clothes, although I have made a few additions since we arrived (like this sweater).

One of the first things I noticed about Miami was that even in the summer heat, there were definitely more women in pants than in shorts. I realized this while sitting in the nice, ornate lobby of my new residential building in my shorts, tee, and sandals, fresh from the road trip, while I watched stylish pants-wearing women walk past me in and out of the building. I quickly realized why...two letters: A/C. It is nearly freezing in just about every building. I have my apartment thermostat set to 78, and when I walk out into the lobby to check my mail or toss the trash, I'm hit by a cold front. So after a few days of novice shorts-wearing, I think I've finally gotten the hang of Florida dressing (for now, at least).

I'm still in transition mode, so here's what to expect for the near future: one last phone-pic photo post tomorrow, more road trip pics to come on the Facebook page, recaps of my blogger meet-ups on the way, a post about living out of a suitcase for a month and counting (a real-life 30 for 30), and regular outfit pics. Further down the pipeline will be a more holistic evolution of the blog to align more with my new freelance endeavors (versus the office bent, though professional advice will still play a large role on the blog). Hang with me folks...we'll get through this together!

So...what did you do this summer?

Comfortable combos [outfit]

 

LOFT outlet top - 2011 - $14 on sale (similar) / Textured pencil skirt - 2010 - swapped (similar) / Franco Sarto sandals via Piperlime - 2011 - $45 on sale (available) / Canvas and leather belt - 2010 - swapped (similar) / Ball chain necklace (similar)

Outfit analysis: This outfit isn't really anything new for me (I love ruffles and pencil skirts) but I do like how this color combo turned out. The top is a bit of a stone color...not quite gray but not quite brown. It reminds me of Linley's top that I borrowed way back when. This belt + shoe combo is quickly becoming a summer favorite, too.
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Ever since my shopping diet ended, I've been shopping up a storm. These shoes and this top are just a few of my latest purchases. And unlike my usual formula, I didn't try either of these on before I purchased.

The shoes—I got these from Piperlime, knowing that I could return it for free. I already have a pair of Franco Sarto boots, so I know the brand runs relatively true to size

The top—I got this from the new LOFT outlet in nearby Vacaville (the outlets are the same distance away as the regular mall for me). I didn't feel like trying things on so I eyeballed it. Unfortunately I cut the tags off before I tried it on at home, and it's slightly large. I don't think it will be a huge problem, but with this fitted look it felt a little awkward.

Lesson learned: try it on!

Do you try on clothes or eyeball your size? How often do you miss?

Silky smooth [outfit]

Ann Taylor Factory Store top - 2011 - $12 on sale (similar) / Mossimo tank via Target - 2009 - $7 on sale (available) / BR Factory Store trousers - 2009 - $20 on sale (similar) / Mossimo gladiator sandals via Target - 2010 - $25 (similar) / American Eagle outlet necklace - 2011 - $4 on sale (similar) / Silver ball studs via Target - cheap (similar)

Outfit analysis: I'm sure this outfit breaks some rules...I have a loosely fitted top and relaxed trousers. No belt. No real shape to the shirt. But you know what? I love it. I found this great silky blouse a few months ago at the outlets, and I stuck it in my closet and forgot about it. I pulled it out last week to remind myself to wear it, and I decided just to keep it simple (I start small, remember?). It's one of those things that doesn't makes sense, but just works.
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I'm back! I know, you barely noticed I was gone (thank goodness for scheduled posts), but I was running around like a madwoman most of last week prepping for K's graduation and our family time in town. We're really lucky—our families get along swimmingly, and we basically spent Thursday afternoon through Sunday morning together (all 10 of us...whew).

Memorable moments from this weekend:

• Almost missing K's walk across the stage at graduation because the emcee called K by the WRONG NAME. 
• Hearing my 3-year-old nephew exclaim, "Your bed is in your living room!" when he saw our futon made up as a bed (for my brother).
• Discovering that I left my car unlocked for three days, parked four blocks from my apartment. Good thing we live in Davis.
• Eating. Lots of eating. And I cooked a meal for everyone, too.
• Watching my nephew tried using chopsticks for the first time. He plays the drums daily, so it was one stick per hand. While eating fried rice.
• Sending Ashlee home with three whopping bags for this weekend's Stitch Swap when all she came over for was a bike (she got the bike, too).

Although my two days off last week were great (and I got to unplug a bit...lots of catching up to do), it's good to be back!

Do you use your vacation days or do you let them gather dust?

The lazy shoes

H&M top - 2010 - swapped (similar) / LOFT pencil skirt - 2009 - $13 (similar) / Franco Sarto Hot sandals via Piperlime - 2011 - $45 (available) / Boys canvas and leather belt - 2010 - swapped (similar) / Nancy Rosetta circle ring - 2010 - gift (similar) / Ball chain necklace (similar)

Outfit analysis: This outfit kicked last week's rut right in the butt. Color? Check. Better silhouette? Check. Good mood? Check, check, check. I waffled a bit on adding the belt, but I really like how it brought in the colors of the skirt and shoes. This whole outfit put me in a happier mood, perfect for spring.
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For the past few Mondays, Bruno Mars "The Lazy Song" has been playing during my morning commute. I don't mind the song at night or on weekends, but it is a major mood-killer when I'm starting a new workweek. Does this kind of stuff bother anyone else?

But speaking of laziness, I feel like mine has taken to new lows (or highs, depending on how you look at it). I realized a few weeks ago that I didn't have any brown strappy sandal heels. I don't know how that happened, but I knew it had to be remedied. So I set about scouring the interwebs for some new kicks. I love the caged look but I found myself thinking about how annoying it is to have to buckle and unbuckle shoes.

Enter these beauties. Caged goodness galore, and a convenient zipper. Plus they were on sale and I used Ebates (need an invite?). Case closed.

Do you look for convenience when you shop or are you willing to take a few more minutes for the sake of style?

Penultimate 30 for 30 Post

BR top (9) + J & Co. jeans (15) + Gap sandals (30)

I can't believe it's come to this. One more day. Nearly every item has been worn at least twice. These sandals have by far gotten the most wear, since they were the only casual sandals I picked. I'll do more of a round-up later this week when the 30 is complete.

Today I experienced a first...the first work-at-home day I had.  In nearly three years, I didn't even know it was an option, but I asked my boss if I could take time off to work on some articles I'm writing for work.  Being in that cubicle with people asking me questions about how to make a copy all the time just hasn't been helpful, and I needed to get work done. She sweetly said, "You can take a day off if you need to destress, but if you're going to work all day you should just make it a work-at-home day." I was shocked. And then excited.

So taking a cue from my readers, some of whom work from home and say that they dress up nonetheless to get in the mood, I got up at my normal hour, showered, dressed, and ate breakfast before sitting down in my home office to work at 8 a.m.  Turns out it was a nicely productive day. I'm guessing it has to do with the change in scenery...if I worked at home all day everyday, I would probably welcome a nice cubicle every once in a while. But who knows...I've never had to deal with that.

Do you work at home or a cubicle, or both? What do you wear to stay on track?

Home stretch

CK top (4) + Rockabilly jeans (17) + Blake Scott pumps (24)

 Old Navy top (10) + Limited skirt (19) + Gap sandals (30) + vintage earrings

H&M cardi (13) + Loft top (3) + J & Co. jeans (15) + Gap sandals (30) + Old Navy belt

So close! I know I said that last week. But yeah. I've gotten really sick of taking photos. I think the weekends are really ruining all the fun. So these are probably the last weekend photos you'll see.  I guess I am opposite of most people...I suffer getting dressed on weekends to make it to the weekdays, unlike a lot of people who make do during the week and really dress like themselves on weekends.  Did I mention that in elementary school I use to put on my mom's suit, grab my dad's briefcase and be a businesswoman for Halloween?  Yes, I'm weird.

Two more days left.  Monday I'm working from home (really have to crank through these last few magazine articles and sitting in an open cube next to two printers doesn't help at all) and then Tuesday I'll try to go out with a bang.  Wish me luck!

On a more interesting note...I did have some time this weekend to play around with the blog layout a bit...have a look around and enjoy! I still have to fix the navigation up top, but that's for another weekend (jealous of my weekends yet?).

Do you feel more like "you" in workweek wear or weekend garb?  What do you prefer?

Twenty-one!

J. Crew shirt (1) + J & Company jeans (15) + Merona flats (28) + H&M bag + Target sunnies + random earrings

OId Navy tank (10)+ Target shorts (21)+ Gap sandals (30)

JC Penney top (6) + Rockabilly jeans (17) + Gap sandals (30)

The end of this 30 for 30 is so close I can almost taste it.  Twenty-one already! These outfits were worn Friday, Saturday, and Sunday respectively.  I did nothing but work and work at home in these outfits, with small breaks for food, church, and Target.  Oh, and I bought some books at Borders on Friday (buy one, get one free!).

My fave of these weekend looks was Friday...I love button-ups, but I had absolutely no will to iron this one this week, but this casual look does not require any ironing.  Or at least that's what I'm telling myself. Saturday and Sunday I really didn't put much thought into, but I really had no reason to look anything but halfway decent. At least I showered...that's gotta count for something.  I have some crazy deadlines this week at work so don't get your hopes up (I work better when I'm comfortable so that will be the name of the game).

Do you prefer laying low on weekends or would you rather be out and about?

Fishes and fashion

 1 + 21 + 30

5 + 15 + 28

The husband went off on a fishing trip with his dad and uncle this weekend, leaving me all alone.  Freedom!  j/k.  Truth be told, I had a lot of work and stuff I wanted to get done, so I took this opportunity to do the things that I know would have taken time away from our couple time together anyway.  I'm usually the one that takes off for girls weekends or business trips, leaving him alone for the weekend, so it was nice that this time he got to go out.  I'm always encouraging K to take more trips with his friends...it's good and refreshing (speaking of which...gotta get on planning my next girls' weekend).

Saturday is a good example of one of my style goals for myself: dressing more intentionally and working nicer pieces (not just tees, tanks, and jeans) into my weekend wear.  I've done this before with a blue and white striped shirt, but since that wasn't in my 30, I went for this one instead. I liked the end result.  The french braid (coming out to the side) is my new favorite hair-do for summer...I wonder if it will fly for the office?

Sunday is a more traditional outfit for me. It was supposed to be 100 degrees, but I spent the morning covering an event for work (photographing and taking notes for a story), so I couldn't go with the shorts.  I actually ended up tossing my cardigan on top of this, since it was actually a little too cool this morning for just a tee.  And after the event I rolled the jeans up to capri length.

How was your weekend?