From the archives | Shoes, belts and unmentionables

I've published nearly 600 posts on this blog in almost three years (eek), with some of my most prolific blogging days back near the beginning. Enjoy some of these oldies but goodies from the archives!


Underneath it all - A good fit starts with a good foundation, so check out these tips for picking the right daytime underoos.

How to accessorize with belts - From the fun to the frightful, a little walk through my discovery of belts.

How high is too high?  I love a good heel as much as the next gal, but there office appropriate heels and there are non-office appropriate heels. Do you know the difference?

Walking the halls, not the streets - How to wear knee-high boots without looking like a hooker.

How to wear jeans to the office - No elaboration needed.

How to accessorize with belts

Back in the business-casual shopping-diet days, I stumbled across the most obvious accessory ever: the belt. Before then, I only had one belt, and it was only ever paired with jeans. One of my first non-clothing purchases on my shopping diet (because what else do you do when you start a shopping diet but...go shop), was a red-orange skinny belt, and it has become quite the closet workhorse. I've since added to my collection, which now includes a range of colors and widths, and today I'm sharing some tips and examples for accessorizing with belts.

Create shape
Proportion is a delicate balance (and there are certainly many right balances). I'm a big believer in making your clothes fit you instead of the other way around, and belts are an easy way to do that when the balance is just slightly off from what you're going for. I like to add a belt to an otherwise loosey-goosey outfit or cinch a top to offset a straight skirt or flowy trousers.

Add color
My wardrobe is not all that interesting color wise (though that's something I'm working on), and especially with my love of neutral sheath and shift dresses, belts are an easy way to add color.

Fill belt loops
This never used to bother me before, but nowadays, when I have exposed belt loops, I have to fill them. They just look so lonely when they're empty. If you're not a tucker, this probably isn't an issue for you, but I like to tuck, and a belt is often the difference to keep the look clean.

Icing on the cake
Much like Portlandians like to put a bird on it, it's become common to just put a belt on it. No belt loops? No waistband? No problem. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't.

To belt or not to belt?
Sometimes a belt isn't a make-it-or-break-it item. It's purely optional, such as with decoration, or can create different shapes depending on your mood. Here are some examples of like outfits or pieces styled with and without belts.

When belts go bad
I'm embarrassed to admit it, but every one of these outfits had at least an entire workday of wear. What can I say...sometimes you gotta live with a decision for 8 hours before you realize you look absolutely ridiculous. We all have these moments, right? (Right?!?)

Tips for accessorizing with belts

• Too many layers or too loose of layers under the belt can cause bunching. Not pretty (see outtakes above).

• Consider where you wear your belts and plan their length accordingly. Belts that will fit on your waist (for shape or decoration) probably won't fit in your belt loops.  

• I equate belts with purses...check out the fabric/textile, the width/capacity and the accessories (studs, patterns, buckle type, etc). 

• As a baby step, try adding a belt on top of an existing waist seam or in place of a corresponding/built-in belt.

• If you don't have belt loops in your skirt or pants but want your fabric belt to stay put, use a safety pin in the center of the back of the belt (I like to put it vertically so it's slightly less noticeable).

• Loose ends? Knot them around the buckle or use some fashion tape to keep the ends from flapping (just make sure to keep extra tape handy in case the adhesive wears out, for example if you make frequent restroom stops or are on a shopping trip that requires disrobing).  

• Belts are one of the cheapest accessories, so go crazy! Thrift stores usually have a treasure trove of belts for $1 or less. The majority of my belts have come from thrift or vintage stores or swaps. The rest I bought on sale for $10 or less.

How do you rock a belt? What are your best tips for belting?

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.

A-Baseling we go [outfit]

Francesca's Collections dress - 2011 - $44 / Steve Madden boots from Macy's - 2009 - gift card + $3 / Belt - 2010 - swapped / Kate Spade Doodle necklace - 2011 - gift / Gold ring from Joanna Paige - 2011 - $16 (birthday money) / Nancy Rosetta silver circle ring - 2009 - gift

When in Miami, do as the Miami-ans do. Saturday night, K and I went to our very first Art Basel Miami Beach. I don't know much (ok, anything) about art, but I love looking at it. When we travel to new places, we gravitate toward museums and galleries rather than restaurants, attractions, and other activities. My favorite artist shown was Kate Gilmore, especially her video piece Buster. Check her out. Amazing. Art definitely inspires me, but to do what I'm not quite sure yet. I just love the energy and creativity of it all.

Art Basel is a place to see and be seen. It is one of the largest (if not the largest) modern art fair in the world. Rumor has it that it is now larger than the original Art Basel in Switzerland. Insane. We went Saturday night, and I had no idea what to wear. It took me a crapload of outfits before I settled on the one I finally wore, which was a variation on what I wore for our Christmas card photo this year (but only for about 30 minutes for pics). Check out the pile of discarded clothes that I had to put away at the end of the night:

Oops.

What inspires you? What types of attractions do you gravitate toward when you travel?

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)?

Never before seen footage [outfits]

Hey folks! I'm back from my trip! I spent a week with my sister-in-law and her family helping out around the house after they had their new baby earlier this month. Some highlights:

• Getting to spend time with my 3.5 year old nephew that he'll remember. Since before he was born, we've always lived at least 500 miles away, and it kills me that we don't get to see him grow up as closely as we'd like. Now that he's at an age where he notices and remembers things, it's even more important that K and I are in his life (we're his only aunt and uncle).
• Changing my first diaper. I'm pretty impressed that I went 28 years without changing one. Luckily the baby was kind to me (didn't have to do any #2s). He's a keeper, for sure.
• Bonding with my sister-in-law. Growing up with just a brother, I always wished for a sister (in addition, not instead of my bro). My best friends come pretty close, but it is definitely cool to have a sister in my sis-in-law. We've always gotten along, but because of the distance we haven't had the chance to spend quality time just the two of us until now.

I didn't take any outfit pics while I was gone (let's just say I was appropriately dressed for my week's activities...lots of jeans, tees, and flats), but there are quite a few photos taken earlier in October that I never posted, so here you go—never before seen outfits.

10.02.11
Gap tank, swapped dress as skirt, vintage belt, Emilie M bag, Rampage wedges, Nine West glasses (Yes, they're real. I've been wearing contacts since I was 12.)

10.03.11
Target top, Rockabilly jeans, Calvin Klein pumps, Jada's Jewels cuff

10.08.11
Gap Outlet tee, Black Orchid jeans, Franco Sarto boots, Old Navy belt, vintage scarf

10.10.11
BR Factory cardigan, Gap tank, J & Company jeans, Target flats

10.17.11 

Max Studio wrap dress, vintage belt, Nine West Outlet boots, Premier Designs faux pearls

You can totally see the transition from summer to fall in these outfits. I've broken out my fall uniform (which you'll see tomorrow), even though it's still about 80 degrees here. It's only been a few months, but I've definitely acclimated to Miami, and I'm a little worried about how cold Southern California will be over the holidays. First world problems, I know.

To tuck or not to tuck [outfit]

LOFT outlet top - 2011 - $10 on sale / LOFT pencil skirt - 2009 - $13 on sale / Nine West flats - 2011 - $20 on sale / Canvas and leather belt - 2010 - swapped

Or tied up, to be more accurate. I like to wear my hair up, but it doesn't happen as often as I'd like because it looks sort of makes my face look like a boy's (the fact that even when I wear make-up it barely looks like I'm wearing make-up doesn't help).

I've been thinking a bit lately about when to tuck your shirt in and when to let it hang out. There are a lot of factors: volume of shirt, volume of skirt, waistband, ability or inability to belt, neckline, etc. I've worn this shirt tucked into a skirt before, but when I tried tucking it into this skirt, the look was not pretty, for several reasons. This skirt sits lower on my waist, giving the shirt a lot more space to billow between the waist and shoulder. This skirt's waistband is also less conducive to belting (partially due to it sitting lower on the waist). This skirt is also quickly becoming too small for me, which makes the looseness of the shirt even more obvious (I bought it without trying it on...go me). So this shirt + this skirt = untucked.

While I finally made peace between my top and skirt, these shoes still look a bit out of place. I was trying to give my nude flats a rest, but alas, I probably should have worn them for the fourth day in a row.  I love them, just not with this outfit.

How do you determine whether to tuck or not tuck your shirt? Do you have any rules or do you do trial-and-error each time?

A month of dressing up and how NOT to thrift [outfit]

Mossimo tank from Target - 2010 - $7 on sale (available) / Pleated skirt from Goodwill Miami - 2011 - $6 (similar) / Gray scarf - 2010 - swap (similar) / Mossimo flats from Target - 2010 - $18 on sale (similar) / Premier Designs faux pearl drop earrings - 2010 - $20? (similar) / J. Crew belt - 2011 - $10 on sale (similar) / Hair tutorial from The Beauty Department

[Worn: 09.30.11 | To: Write, write, and write. Changed into jeans and a sweater for dinner w/ family]

Is it really October already? Dressy September just flew by. A few thoughts on the experience:

• Getting dressed dressed in the morning does wonders for my motivation and work. Being dressed up even affects how professional I am on the phone (but maybe that's just me).
• Walking around Target in heels isn't so bad. Walking around Target, Michael's (x2) and Pearl Art (x2) in one afternoon in heels can get pretty bad, though.
• Miami may be hot, but on my regular weekday jaunt from home to volunteering to grocery store back home, I'm only in the sun without air conditioning for a maximum of 5 minutes. Even Publix has a parking garage! 
• If I didn't dress up regularly, about 70% of my closet would be ignored. I didn't repeat that many items this month, but still barely dented the surface of my wardrobe. I've done 3 major closet purges already this year, but it might be time to do some more editing.

If you're curious, the entire album of all 30 outfits is on my Facebook page.

And now on to how NOT to thrift. I was so excited when I passed by a Goodwill Superstore on one of my first days in Miami (before I knew that every Goodwill in Miami is a superstore, whatever that means).  I stopped by to see what I could grab for  cheap while I was living out of my suitcase and waiting for the rest of my stuff to get here. This skirt immediately caught my eye, and for $6, I figured I could test-drive the pleated skirt trend. I also picked up a new belt, some dress shirts for K (we hadn't packed any work clothes for him because we thought our stuff would be here by the time he started his job), and a book.

Fast-forward to later that afternoon, after getting caught in a thunderstorm and sloshing through a flooded parking lot in my leather sandals. I dry off and decide to test drive my new skirt. I go to put it on and it buttons, just barely, at my ribcage (the narrowest part of my torso). Whew, that was a close one. I go to zip it up, and...umm...where in the world is the zipper? It hasn't been ripped out. It looks like it was never even put in. All the seams are smooth and finished, there is just a giant open slit where a zipper would normally be.

Fast-forward a month and a half to late September. September 29 to be exact. Half of Miami is closed for Rosh Hashanah and I'm waiting for a conference call I have scheduled for the afternoon with a client in California. I grab the skirt, an invisible zipper I picked up at Joann and my sewing box and get to work. It takes less than an hour to hand sew the zipper into the inside lining. I left the outside gap intact because it was on the inside of a pleat and would have been more awkward with the zipper than without. Still, the skirt barely buttons, but I'm only on week 2 of half-marathon training...I have high hopes (and hopefully high-enough motivation and energy) that it will fit better by January.

My suspicion is that someone made the skirt as a sewing project, and when they realized they forgot the zipper, they sent it off to Goodwill (it also has no tags or markings on it, or any indication that there ever were any). But for $8 ($6 plus a $2 zipper), it's not bad. Here's hoping it will fit eventually, or Goodwill may just have a repeat resident. At least the next owner will have a zipper.

Have you ever come home with a thrifted item to find out something's missing? Do you fix it yourself, return it, or do something else with it?

Sunny days [outfit]

Gap Favorite V-neck T - 2011 - $7 on sale (available) / Yellow strapless smocked dress worn as skirt - 2010 - swap (similar) / Vintage belt via Bows and Arrows - 2010 - $12 (similar) / Black wood bead necklace - 2010 - swap (similar) / Target metallic flip flops - 2009 - $7 (similar)

[Worn: 09.16.11 | To: Write, write and work]

I love finding new uses for old pieces. This skirt is actually a tube dress, and it's one of my favorites for the beach. Yup, this is my go-to swim coverup. I think this is the second time I've worn it when not going to the beach, and the first time it's made it out of the house. Why in the world did I not do this earlier? The belt really makes the look, and the flip flops seemed just right with the casual fabric of the skirt.


My birthday is tomorrow, and fall officially begins on Friday. Things I'm looking forward to this season:

• The end of storm season. We've been really lucky in South Florida so far, only a few more months to go until glorious winter. We got a crash course in storm prep when Irene was still threatening Florida, so we're as ready as we can be, but you never know what you don't know until something happens.
• Going home. My new nephew enters this world next month, and a few weeks after that I'm headed out to So Cal to help my sis-in-law out around the house and with the boys (baby and his 3 1/2-year-old big bro). So excited to do Halloween with them!
• Fall TV. We had planned to get rid of cable TV when we moved, but our building (and rent) comes with basic, so we still have just about all our favorite channels (minus glaring holes ESPN and FX). My faves: Fringe, Glee, The Office, Bones, and How I Met Your Mother. I'm not addicted. I'm not addicted. I'm not addicted?
• Getting unpacked. As you may have seen on my Facebook page, I have a new bookshelf background in my recent outfit pics. Still not completely unpacked yet, but getting really, really close.
• Learning to run. I'm mostly looking forward to this. After discovering the amazing scenery of a nearby trail, I've decided I'd like to start running...err, learning how to run without feeling like I'm dying. The goal? I'd like to be able to run one mile without stopping by the end of the year, something I have never done in my life. Wish me luck!

What are you most looking forward to for fall?

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?

Feels like new [outfit]

BR Monogram top - 2011 - $15 on sale (similar) / Merona jeans via Target - 2011 - $18 on sale (similar) / Rubbish scarf via Nordstrom - 2009 - $10 on sale (similar) / J. Crew outlet belt - 2011 - $5 on sale (similar) / Rampage wedges - 2009 - $25 on sale (similar) / Emilie M. bag via Marshall's - 2011 - $25 (similar)

[Worn: 08.30.11 | To: Mall and Target, my regular haunts]

Yes, I realize my feet are cut off. It was so easy to find an outfit spot when there was nothing in my apartment. That's why you get a dedicated shoe shot. I also realize I'm not too consistent with labeling [outfit] in my titles. Working on that. Moving along...

I've been in a bit of a funk so far this week, mainly due to the eczema outbreaks. Just when they were starting to get better, our stuff arrived, bringing in all kinds of new dust and dirt from the month spent in storage and the various trucks it traveled on to get here, and aggravating my skin even worse than it was last week. I've been in hiding.

But this blog would suck without outfits, so I came out of hiding for a bit yesterday to stock up on more skin care supplies. Aveeno, Cetaphil, Aquafor, CeraVe, and Cortisone line my bathroom counter, waiting their turn to attack.

This outfit is way dressier than I would have worn in my previous life on a random Tuesday errand run, but I was so excited to have my clothes (and shoes!) back that I had to bust out the big guns (aka, heels). I'd guess that about half my shoes are heels, and it's going to be interesting to try to work them into daily wear.

Do you wear heels casually or just for work and dressier events?

Black on black

Final Touch top via Heart Clothing Boutique - 2011 - $34 (similar) / Old Navy skirt - 2010 - $10 on sale (similar) / Belt via Goodwill Superstore - 2011 - $1 (similar)

[Worn: 08.25.11 | To: Write at home all day]

Well, folks, this is it: my last outfit from my limited suitcase wardrobe. By the time you read this, my stuff will be here and I'll be lying on my bed hugging my shoes, one pair at a time.

Things I am most excited to have back in my possession:

• Bed. An air mattress is not a good substitute.
• Shoes. I've been stuck on flat ground for a month and a half. I need some height!
• Desk. I love this thing.
• Microwave. The oven is just sooooo slooooooow.
• Sweaters and blankets. Our A/C works...too well for my taste.

Now that we finally have our stuff, I'm slowly unpacking. I really love my apartment, but I can't help but have this nagging feeling in the back of my head that we might be moving in 11 months anyway, so is unpacking completely even worth it? This is my 10th apartment in as many years (four cities, three states), so the vagrant lifestyle is something I'm used to. Nonetheless, I love playing house, so I'm just going to pretend we're going to live here forever and really settle in. Because who really likes living out of boxes?

Do you move a lot? How do you adjust to new places?

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?

Short day [outfit]

Mossimo pocket v-neck via Target - 2011 - $8 on sale (available) / Mossimo white tank via Target - 2011 - $9 (available) / The Limited tulip skirt - 2009 - $20 on sale (similar) / Franco Sarto Hot sandals - 2011 - $45 on sale (available) / Vintage braided belt via Bows and Arrows - 2010 - $12 (similar) / Forever 21 leaf necklace - 2010 - $5 (similar) / Kate Spade doodles pen necklace - 2011 - gift (available) / BR Factory Store sunglasses - 2011 - $8 on sale

Outfit analysis: I could live in these tees for summer (I've bought two already), and I am a major sucker for color right now (In addition to my top and necklace, I have two more colors of toe nail polish on). Today was sweltering, so I knew I needed a skirt and sandals, and I was a little over my sleeveless top + black skirt combo addiction I had a few months back. So I switched it up with a tee (so different, I know). 

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This was my outfit on one of the hottest days of the year so far. Just a week ago it was 60 degrees (the high) and raining. Tuesday (when I wore this outfit) it was 102 and humid. Turns out the A/C in our work building wasn't quite up to the challenge, and we were sent home at 10:30 a.m. due to "unhealthy work conditions" (aka 90+ degrees indoors on some of the top floors), which essentially left me with a three-day workweek, with Friday being my last day at my job. How the time flies by.

Thanks, friends, for your kind words and encouragement about the blog's future on Tuesday's post. I think I have a grasp on how it will evolve (in the near future anyway) and I hope you'll stick around as I feel my way through this transition. I'm also finalizing some dates for my Movin' to Miami Tour 2011: Blog Edition and hope to meet up with some of you along the way! Dallas, Austin, New Orleans, and Orlando—I'm lookin' at you! 

Have you ever been sent home early from work? For what reasons?

Snap and scrap [outfit]

Gap dress - 2011 - $25 on sale (similar) / Banana Republic bib necklace - 2010 - $12 on sale (similar) / Vintage braided leather belt via Bows and Arrows - 2010 - $7 (similar) / Franco Sarto boots via Macy's - 2010 - gift (similar)

Outfit analysis: When I looked at the weather report for early this week (highs in the 60s/70s), I knew I had to squeeze another wear out of this cozy dress. I've paired this dress with brown before, but the boots and necklace give this a totally different look than last time. This almost has a country vibe, which was great. I had the first of my several goodbye lunches this day, and the flat boots were perfect for our walk across Capitol Park.
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This weekend, K and I grabbed the last of our stuff from our parents houses. I'd already edited my childhood stuff into one medium sized box before I got married, so this weekend was just a little walk through my college life. I grabbed a few books to keep and put the rest in a donate pile. I took photos of my scrapbook pages, ripped all my photos out of my scrapbooks to scan later, and tossed them. I brought back one plastic bin. I call my process "snap and scrap."

K, on the other hand, hadn't gone through his stuff in ages. He did a quick sift through a few of the boxes, but several others he just brought back entirely to look at here. He brought back 3 bins, 2 large boxes, and two shoeboxes of stuff. He's started going through the bins, but while I'm content to keep a digital copy, K is a little less decisive. He's been asking me what to do with stuff, and I'm at a loss. So far we've edited out an entire box, and the shoebox content will be easy to place, but there's still a lot to do.

Do you part with stuff easily or do you hang as long as possible?

Happy hours and lunches [outfit]

BR Factory Store tiered tee - 2011 - $6 on sale/clearance/coupon (similar) / The Limited tulip skirt - 2009 - $20 on sale (similar) / Mossimo pumps via Target - 2010 - $10 on sale (similar) / J. Crew Outlet belt - 2011 - $5 on clearance (similar) / Necklace via Gottschalk's - 2008? - $6 on clearance (similar)

Outfit analysis: Aside from the shoes, which are just bearable, this has to be one of my most comfortable outfits yet. I like that this skirt doesn't cinch too tightly at the waist and has a forgiving tulip shape. I love the softness of the tee (although it could use an ironing...those tiers did not weather the washer well at all). I like the colors, which are soft without being too pastel and girly. I like the hair, even if it doesn't look as nice in the back as I imagined and especially because it was a happy accident—I braided my still-wet hair so it would be out of my face while I put on my make-up and just never took it down. It did need a bobby pin by midday, though, since my layers are still a little too short for this hairstyle.
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The countdown is on...eight working days left at the Day Job. It's also celebration season, so this outfit was worn to work and then to a happy hour to celebrate a coworker's graduation from business school. Leaving in the summer is apparently a bit awkward, since several of my coworkers will be on vacation on my last day, which means the happy hours and good-bye lunches will be starting soon. I already have most nights this week booked: my last book club meeting tonight, my last Sacramento fashion bloggers meet-up, and my last Sacramento Rivercats game. For the next 2.5 weeks, everything I do will be titled "the last _____ (while I live in CA)."

This past weekend was full of see-you-laters as well. We spent four days immersed in family and friend time in Southern California, visiting our parents, K's grandma and grandpa (on different sides), K's sister and her family, and our closest friends. Of course, with just one weekend to spare, there were many faces we missed seeing, but it's comforting to know that we'll still be gravitating home for all the major holidays and any other excuse we can come up with. One of the things K and I are most grateful for is the closeness of our families, in geography and in relationship. Our parents live less than an hour apart and communicate pretty regularly with each other. It's not something we thought about much before we got married, and our parents never hung out much before that, but we're really happy with how things have developed.

Enough with the sappiness. Happy hours and lunches, happy hours and lunches. All good things.

How do you celebrate or mark milestones at work? Do you prefer after-work happy hours or midday lunch breaks?

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?