Sometimes more is more

The Rundown:
6 + 12 + 30
Vintage silk scarf via Bows and Arrows - 2010 - $12 (similar)
Gap belt - 2010 - $10 (similar)
Simply Vera Wang cable knit tights via Kohl's - 2009 - gift (similar)
Premier Designs faux pearl drop earrings - 2010 - $19 (similar)

Two more days! Two more days! I've been holding this outfit idea in my head for weeks, and I just had to squeeze it in before the end of the 30.  How trendy is this? Belted scarf.  Tights with open-toed shoes. Snowmen in the background (pic 2). The green tights were a bit of an afterthought--I was originally intending to go with these opaque tights, but they were unavailable (they've moved into the bottom of my laundry basket along with half of my 30 items). I figured since I've done the green and brown thing twice already this week, I might as well keep going (my other options for opaque-ish tights were blue and brown).

What worked:
The belted scarf! And I actually am really loving the tights + open toes thing. I really don't have an excuse--even as cold as this week has been, we've still be in the 50s, which I know is eons warmer than what some of you are experiencing.

What didn't: 
Felt a little like overload with the scarf, belt, colorful tights, and drop earrings.  I'm not sure what would be better, though--paring back or piling more on for a complete look. I think an extra ring, necklace, or bracelet actually would have helped (I know: this totally bucks Coco Chanel's rule about taking one item off before you leave the house, but really, aren't rules meant to be broken?).

Do you typically err on the side of too many accessories or too few? How do you find the perfect balance?

Schoolboy or stewardess? [12 of 30]

The Rundown:
3 + 15 + 25 + 29
Vintage scarf - 2010 - $12 (similar)
Artisans Lane Turkish Jewelry necklace - 2010 - gift from mom (available)
Premier Designs crystal earrings - 2010 - $19 (similar)

I call this look "schoolboy chic."  Something about the scarf as a tie and the black blazer with jeans really was very menswear.  Alternately, the scarf tie also reminds me of a flight attendant--good thing I didn't wear this with a pencil skirt and pumps!

I also got new stud earrings! Not during the 30, of course, but a few weeks before. My friend Shawna sells Premier Designs jewelry, and when I found out all their studs have hypoallergenic titanium posts, I was sold. I'm allergic to silver and gold, and it can be difficult to find nice earrings with surgical steel or titanium posts (reason number 572 why I'm hard to shop for).  I ordered these, a pair of pearl dangles, and a jewelry set (which will be a gift). They just arrived on Sunday and I'm loving them (and to be honest, finding it a little hard to let go of that set I bought--so pretty! Someone's getting very lucky this Christmas).

What worked:
The necklace + scarf layering!  I started out with the blouse and necklace, but the expanse of white looked a bit bare, and it was only supposed to be 54 degrees today, so I added the scarf. It goes outside of the collar so it doesn't hide the necklace.  The blue and orange complemen t each other really nicely, too, adding some interest to an otherwise bland outfit.

What didn't:
Not that it didn't work, but I think this would have looked better with skinny jeans and boots than with bootcut jeans. But I wanted to get away from that combo since I've already resorted to that so many times.  What's a challenge if you don't try something new?

How are you getting out of your comfort zone with the challenge? Or if you're not doing the challenge, what's something you'd like to try?

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EDIT/UPDATE

So I totally forgot that Rochelle of Rochelle Approved tagged me to share seven secrets! Not sure if these are secrets, but maybe fun facts.  Here goes...


I have a bad habit of picking off my nail polish. I've read nearly every issue of Sports Illustrated over the past five years (except for the last few, which are sitting on my nightstand).  I love jigsaw puzzles and I have a 3,000 piece one that I haven't finished (yet). I make a killer meatloaf. My favorite movie is Singing in the Rain. I married my first boyfriend. I'm allergic to cats, but determined to get one when we get our own house.


I tag...YOU. Share something in the comments!

Manic Monday [6 of 30]

The Rundown:
11 + 12 + 30
BR necklace - 2010 - $12 (similar)
Gap belt - 2010 - $10 (similar)
Nancy Rosetta circle ring - 2010 - birthday present (similar)

What worked:
Do you ever have one of those mornings where getting dressed is just easy? It doesn't happen to me often, but somehow this morning it all just came together.  This teal top was the last item I added to my 30...I had thought about it as I was falling asleep the night before posting my list, and nearly forgot to make the change before I posted.  Luckily I did get it in, because it's pretty cool. It's comfy (cotton with some stretch), demure (good sleeves), and has nice detailing that makes it just that much more special (neckline pleats and armbands).  You can't tell from this photo, but the shoes are dark brown and the skirt is black.  Usually I'll pair one brown item with mostly black, or mostly brown with some black, but today was just one of each. Nice and even-handed.  Whatever.

I think my biggest loves about this outfit are the colors and the necklace. Kept me in a good mood all day. And good mood = confident = producing better work (for me, at least).  It was a gorgeous 78 degrees out today, too, so it felt good to go bare-legged.

What didn't:
If I had been paying more attention during the day, the black and brown would probably have bothered me more, but since it was another day of hunkering down at my desk, it didn't bother me at all.  I wish I could figure out more ways to knot my belt, but I think my current way will work until I find something better.

What items do you reach for when you need a quick put-together outfit?

Creamsicle

Readers: you asked for more detail pics in the survey so here they are! It was just me and my camera today, but next time I'll try to get more detail shots of the outfit on me.

The Rundown:
Ann Taylor Outlet top - 2007 - $14 (similar here)
Vintage belt - 2010 - $12 (similar here)
Ann Taylor Loft skirt - 2010 - $13 (similar here)
Target shoes - 2010 - $6 (available here)
Ring (Claire's or the Icing) - (similar here)
Random ball chain necklaces - (similar here)

What worked:
I loved the colors of today's outfit...the bright orange and creams, and the light grays. It was expected to get to 99 degrees today, and although I never checked, I'd be surprised if it didn't actually reach that high. Tomorrow is supposed to be 103 degrees.  Eesh. These shoes are my latest find (remember, the diet doesn't include shoes, undergarments, and accessories)...they were only $6 on clearance at the store! They're still full price online, but maybe your Target has them on sale, too.  They're real suede, so it's definitely a bargain.

What didn't:
Looking back at the first photo, my top half looks like something is missing.  A larger necklace maybe? A watch? I wore a cardigan most of the day but my apartment was 83 degrees when I got home so I couldn't bear putting it back on for pics. So maybe it didn't look so bad during the day.

So I'm torn on these bangs. I just trimmed them a couple of millimeters on Friday and they're still in my eyes like crazy! I've been brushing them to the side, but will probably try another trim before I decide to grow them out completely.

Gals with bangs - how often do you trim your bangs? Gals without - how often do you do hair maintenance?

Back in action

The first day back in the office after a vacation is always tough.  Especially when your first week back looks like the week from hell.  I'm glad I took my vacation when I did, because the light at the end of this work tunnel probably won't shine again until well into the fall.  So today was a symbolic kick-off for me...back in the office and ready to kick some butt workwise (meaning workload, not work people, at least not today).

So I reverted to some office staples: button up shirt, pencil skirt, low-heeled pumps.  Toss in a bright belt for a pop of color, and you're out the door!

Necklace: gift; Blouse: J.Crew - 2009 - $20; Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft - 2009 - $13; Belt: Gap - 2010 - $10;  Shoes: Nina (from Ross) - 2009 - $16

Can I just pat myself on the back for putting together an outfit that, in total, cost only $59?  I enjoy shopping just as much for the hunt of the bargain as much as the actual procuring of items. It's one of the things I miss about shopping, but then again, it comes in handy for other things as well (for instance, re-planning my whole vacation about 5 hours before departure and coming in under budget, even when the lost vacation was included).

Anyway...this outfit surely did the trick...it got me back in action by playing the part of the professional.  Faking it until you make it can really work wonders when it comes to getting into the mood for work.  Two meetings and a conference call later the day had flown by...tomorrow is a photoshoot and two phone interviews for articles for our magazine's fall issue.  My head is spinning just looking at the rest of my week!

What standbys do you turn to when you need to get into the mood for work? 

Blue jean machine

Since I just talked briefly about jeans in a business casual environment yesterday, I thought I'd give an example today (read: I was itching to be really comfortable even though it was still Thursday).  I realized I haven't been showing you my entire outfit..since it's still pretty cold out here I usually have a coat or jacket on in the morning that I take off whenever I'm indoors.  Today it was my trench.

I also realized today that this blog is about looking good for work on a budget, so I've decided to add some price points to my details.  Today's outfit deets:

• Trench - Rampage (from Macy's) - purchased with gift card in 2007 - $?
• Sweater - Gap Outlet - 2008 - $20
• Tank (under sweater) - Target - 2009 - $7 (sale)
• Jeans - Old Navy - 2010 - $12 (clearance)
• Belt - Gap - 2010 - $10 (sale)
• Shoes - Nina (from Ross) - 2009 - $16

These trouser jeans work for work because of their dark wash and loose cut.  They're fitted through the hip, and from there they basically go straight down to the ground.  Wide-leg pants can look boxy, and that's where the pointy-toed pumps come in.  Any sort of interest down by the toe that's not too boxy will do...peep-toes, jeweled flats.

The belt was a last-minute add on--otherwise the sweater and jeans would be something I'd wear on a weekend.  Not quite sure yet if it works with the outfit, but at least the color matched.  Plus, the neck of the sweater goes up pretty high, which can make it look a little puritanical, and the belt breaks up the vast sea of brown.

Some detail pics for your viewing pleasure:

Love the sweater's ribbing (see how the sleeves match the body ribbing?).  I also love layering sweaters over tanks (Target's Mossimo makes some great affordable ones that I stocked up on before TGAAD).

Here's a closeup of the shoes (same ones from Monday).  Honestly, these shoes deserve their own post...they're comfortable, versatile, and super-snazzy.  I even wore them to dinner tonight (I usually change into flip flops as soon as I get home).

So there you go, jeans in an office.  Not too bad, eh?  Still working on getting used to being photographed everyday, even though it's just myself (well, maybe it's weirder just by myself).  Like the office though?  It's my actual work cubicle.  If you're lucky you'll get some other views next time.  Speaking of next time---I'll be back Monday blogging from Albuquerque, New Mexico!  Going with some coworkers for a national conference...wish us luck!

Skinny belt and screen cred

If you've happened to stumble upon this blog, you might be asking, "Why is she writing this blog?  What kind of cred does she have?"

The "Why" can be answered by reading the About page.

My cred is open to discussion.  I'm writing this blog to share what I've learned from being in the workplace and loving fashion.  I've had my hits and misses throughout the years, and hope to spare you some of the misses.  While I could hide behind pretty pictures gathered from around the Internet, I'd rather just show you how I dress at work and let you decide for yourself whether you trust my advice. 
 
I call this look: I love my new skinny belt!
 
I wore this outfit on sunny Monday in March (this Monday, to be exact).  I just purchased a skinny belt this weekend (TGAAD-approved; see related post here) and was excited to wear it to work ASAP.  I'd also just gotten my fave heels back from getting re-heeled and was dying to wear them again--they are so comfortable.

Here is a rundown of the goods: Top - J.Crew; Pants - Gap Outlet; Shoes - Nina (found at Ross); Belt - Gap; Necklace - Forever 21; Awkward pose - original design by me.

Loved this outfit today not just because it looked nice and professional, but it was comfortable.  The heels are only about 1.5"-2" tall and are extremely comfortable to walk in all day -- a must for me since I go out to move my car every two hours.

One of the main reasons this outfit works is because of the proportions.  The wide-leg pants are balanced out by a fitted top.  The thick waistband of the pants, which can often make a midsection look larger, is bisected by a colorful belt.

There are also many colors at work here -- gray, brown, gold, red-orange, but compared to the brightness of the belt, the rest of the outfit serves as a neutral.

On the pencilmeter, this outfit gets four out of four for being comfortable, professional, and totally rewearable.