Chop chop and layering neutrals

Indoor shots. There's really no way around them. But at least I found a spot in my apartment!

The Rundown:
Turtleneck sweater - 2010 - swap (similar)
White blouse - 2007 - $20? (similar)
BR high-waist pencil skirt - 2010 - $60ish (similar)
Hue tights - 2010 - $10 (similar)
Aerosoles pumps - 2005 - $30 (similar)
Belt - 2010 - swap (similar)
Anne Klein watch - 2009 - $55 (available)

What worked:
A week or two back Maria asked about neutrals and trying to liven them up.  My comment at that time was that I love neutrals, but what I really like to do is combine them.  Today was a perfect case-in-point: shades of tan, brown, white, and black.  Another way I like to wear neutrals is layering different textures.  Here we have a thick knit (sweater), suiting wool (skirt), herringbone (tights), and suede (shoes).  Each piece alone is rather expected and has the potential to be boring, but smashing them altogether creates interest (and keeps you warm!).

What didn't:
With the chunky knit and layers, this outfit did verge on the shapeless side. The belt helped rein in the volume and give a visual waist as well.  Other than that, I really loved this outfit.

Funny thing I noticed this morning after I got to work--this sweater mixes my last two Make Believe Mondays (sort of) with a turtleneck vest! It was another one of my recent swap scores. Super-soft, too.

Yes, I got my hair chopped this weekend. (duh.  I'm not a Magic Hair Doll. Anyone else remember those?)  I sort of like the idea of short hair in the winter and longer hair in the summer, because it's easy to put on a scarf in the winter and I like being able to make a ponytail in the summer. Last time I cut my hair I went right to the shoulder, so I decided to go above the shoulder this time.  All I did this morning was blowdry--no product, barely any combing--and let the turtleneck sort of shape the hair.  I'm going to try straight-ironing the ends tomorrow (more like my original inspiration).

On Saturday morning, when I decided to go short (it was a bit of a last-minute decision), K asked me not come home with "mom hair," and the third comment I got on my Facebook profile was from my cousin saying, "you look so much like your mom!" If that means I look a decade younger than I actually am and am super-tiny after having two kids, eating pastries everyday, and never exercising, then I reply, "thank you!"

Are you a short hair in the summer/long hair in the winter kind of gal or the other way around? Or do you stick to your signature style, no matter the season?