OOTD- A Few of My Favorite Things

Purple, tweed, stripes and these Miu Miu shoes are just a few of my favorite things. This outfit is a hodge-podge of a few old closet friends (with my new tee) and I went out on a ledge with the two different necklines going on, but I love the lady-like details and all the colors, pattern and texture. All winners in my book, plus it doesn't hurt that these shoes always make me feel like a glamazon. How does that not make any outfit feel fabulous?

What do you wear to make you feel fabulous? Is it a favorite lipstick or a special pair of earrings? 

Outfit Details:

Striped tee- J. Crew (available here, similar in a lighter blue here)

Tweed blazer (old)- Banana Republic (similar style here)

Purple skirt and brown belt- thrifted

Leopard hat- Albertus Swanepoel for Target (cute straw alternative here)

Umbrella- Missoni for Target (similar here)

Tan platform heels (consignment find)- Miu Miu (similar style here and here)

Tan handbag- Rebecca Minkoff (same style in alternative color here, similar here)

OOTD- Just Go With the Classics

When there are days when you just don't know what to wear, sometimes it's just easiest to go with the classics.

It was one of those mornings when I was throwing things on and throwing them right off because it just wasn't right. When that happens, I generally reach for my go-to, the black pants. But that wasn't going to work on a day when I felt like putting on a skirt or dress. And at that very last second before I was in serious danger of being ridiculously late, I threw on my striped dress, thought that it would look great as a top and layered it under a skirt, but I wasn't done and added one more layer of clothing. An all very random creation made of simple pieces. It helped me to remember that not over thinking and going with something simple can work very well...and maybe I should start planning my outfits the night before. 

Do you decide on your outfits beforehand or on the spot? When you can't figure out what to wear, what is your go-to outfit?

Outfit Details:

Striped dress (as top)- Forever 21 (funky striped dress available here, cool shift dress available here)

Metallic knit vest- Mason by Michelle Mason

Flouncy skirt- Ann Taylor (similar here, similar here, similar here in stripes)

Gray tweed wedges- Ivanka Trump (available here)

What Goes Around, Comes Back Around

Hey, it's you again!!!

Forever 21 Striped Shift Dress, available here

I bought this dress last year and absolutely loved it. It looks so mod and the stripes are a tad more interesting with the different directions. I was quite surprised to see it pop up on the website again but extremely happy to be able to share it with you all. I decided to break it out of the closet again (see original post here and here as a top), but I put a little twist and wore it as a tunic instead:

(excuse the wrinkles, it was a long day sitting)

I highly recommend getting one for yourself. But if this one isn't quite your thing, there are plenty of other options out there too:

Oasis Bold Stripe Shift Dress, $90.90, available here

Kate Spade Andora Zebra Print Dress, $425, available here

J. Crew Stripe Sweater Dress, $140, available here

Lurex Rainbow Cross Back Dress, $160, available here

Heart and Soul Stripe Maxi Dress, on sale $36, available here

OOTD- Shopping Strut

So I woke up really early on Saturday because my mother invited me to an event at Nordstrom. I got there on time, ready to shop and discovered that the doors were locked and no one was there!! Perhaps it was because I had the wrong day (Sunday, not Saturday). D'oh! Have you guys ever had such a forehead slap moment?

Since I was up so early, I coerced my Mr. to go to breakfast and then we headed to the outlets (I mean, it was one exit away, why not, right?).

There's an extra special early Xmas gift in that Nordstrom Rack bag that I can't wait to share. I'm just trying to decide if I want to be good and wait until after the 25th to wear it or if I should start now. I can't believe that's a dilemma for me. I'm sure you'll see me with it in my next set of pictures. :)

Do you find gift shopping easy or difficult? 

My mother told me once that I give very thoughtful gifts. I definitely try, but the part of actually figuring out what to get is not always easy, especially for the person who doesn't want for anything (aka my father).

Outfit Details:

Blue hoodie- Yesstyle.com

Blue/green striped tee- H&M (very similar top here, similar sweater here in blue, colorblock top with similar colors here)

Blue leggings- Forever 21

Tan otk boots- (old) LOFT (similar here with wedge, similar here in brown)

Leopard handbag- Olivia + Joy (available here, similar here, my favorite here)

Mixed metal chain- Target

Tan coat- Uniqlo (similar here and here)

OOTD- Laboring through the Day

I hope you guys took some time out to enjoy the long weekend. I sure did with a co-workers barbecue, some time at the mall and catching up on a few stores. If only every weekend could be a long weekend. :)

Since this holiday usually symbolizes the end of summer, I continued to work through some of my neglected wardrobe and pulled out this skirt from the depths of my drawers. It hasn't seen the light of the summer sun since last year and part of the reason is the print. I can't resist a fun print and these turtles were just too cute, but it can be tricky not to look like a five year-old while wearing it. I think the stripes worked well with the lines of the skirt and added interest to the top half. Hopefully, no one would mistake me for having my first day of school tomorrow.

What are looking forward to now that fall is on its way?

Outfit Details:

Orange stripe out tee and turtle skirt- J. Crew (tee available here)

Olive wedges- Madewell (on sale here)

Brown belt- H&M (old)

Bracelets- courtesy of Rosa of Rosa Loves

Timex leopard watch- Nordstrom (available here)

Crystal necklace- LOFT

Handbag- Rebecca Minkoff MAC

OOTD- Striped Again

Apparently, my hand does not work as a fan very well!

This is the Victoria Beckham standard picture pose (minus the face, although she does do that pursed lip thing).

After wearing my green and blue striped tee recently, I felt compelled to let my other striped tee out for some fun outfit time. This probably wasn't the best day to wear anything long-sleeved, but the drastic difference between the outside and the freezer that is my office makes the sweaty commute in a weather incompatible top very necessary.

Is everyone else out there loving the summer or are you eagerly anticipating fall? I have one other striped sweater that I can't wait to put on again and why do I want to wear boots and J. Crew seriously teased me with the arrivals of such colorful, wool fabrics. I'm sure you can tell what side I'm on. In the meantime I'll keep my eye on the bright side: long days, ice cream for dessert, and yummy in season fruit. That might get me through the next month and a half. Now, I think it's time for an afternoon Frappaccino!

 

Outfit Details:

Striped top- J. Crew (almost the same available here)

Pink capri pants- J. Crew (same style in other colors on sale here)

Yellow wedges- Target

White watch- Aldo (old)

Gray handbag- Botkier

Sunglasses- Ray-Ban

OOTD-The Case of the Meltdown

Before I begin today's post, I just want to say thank you to all of my wonderful readers who left congrats in the previous post. It truly warmed my heart and put a smile on my face.

Yes, he put a ring on it!!!

We're just going to ignore those pesky straps. This is real-life picture action here!

Time for Angry Birds!!

I have a propensity for wearing this striped top with a pink skirt (see here). I can't help it, I love the combination!! The weather guy said that it would be close to 100 degrees today and all I thought of was flowy and light. This little swingy skirt definitely fit the bill, but it didn't keep me from melting into a slight puddle of sweat while taking these pictures this evening. I'm thinking tomorrow calls for wearing a bikini to work. Do you think I'll get a pass for inappropriate workwear? If I am sent home, I can just go across the street to the high-rise with the rooftop pool. Can you believe I get teased with that kind of view everyday in the summer?? It's almost enough to make me cry.

Do you have a strategy for getting dressed in the hotness or do you start to not care as much when the temperatures are unbearable?

Outfit Details:

Striped tee- H&M

Pink pocket skirt- J. Crew (similar double pocket skirt here)

Faux pearls- Marc by Marc Jacobs Accessory Boutique

Link chain with locket- JewelMint

Tan woven belt- Secondhand

Olive wedges- Madewell (available here)

Green handbag- Marc Jacobs Multi-pocket (old) (similar color here)

OOTD- Striped Up

In an effort to create outfits around this challenging striped top, I came up with the idea to try it with some pattern. I think I might be getting the hang of this mixing business! Since the tee and chambray pants are pretty casual elements, I figured some jazzing up was in order. My crystal necklace and quilted handbag did the trick (I swore to the bf that this was my last bag purchase for the year, fingers crossed I actually stick to it). Although, I felt like this look could have used some structure, probably in the way of a blazer, it has become way too hot for that to be feasible. All in all, I think this striped tee might be a keeper after all.

Have you ever hesitantly purchased something that ended up being one of your favorite things to wear? What was it?

Outfit Details:

Striped tee- H&M

Chambray pants- J. Crew outlet (similar here and here)

Cloth belt and crystal necklace- J. Crew (both via Ebay)

Cat-eye sunglasses- Forever 21 (available here)

Tan sandals- Belle by Sigerson Morrison (similar here)

Brown quilted chain-link handbag- Rebecca Minkoff Quilted Affair (available here in other colors)

OOTD- Curves Ahead

After a quick styling consult with Fashionista Next Door and a bit of Prada Spring 2011 channeling, this new striped tee helped to create one of my favorite outfits to-date. I was a bit apprehensive about taking the top home with me because I had no idea what to pair it with (other than denim), but I did it anyway to shake up the offerings in my closet. This outfit is a mix of old favorites (pink pencil skirt and platform shoes) and new favorites (necklace and tee). I couldn't help but feel cute and confident all day.

Do you have a go-to outfit that will instantly set your mood right? What would you pair with this green/blue tee?

Outfit Details:

Blue/green striped tee- H&M

Pink pencil skirt- J Crew (similar here)

Patent leopard belt- J Crew outlet

Medallion necklace and white striped canvas handbag- Forever 21 (necklace available here)

Tan platform shoes- Miu Miu

Bracelets (right-Club Monaco, left-mall vendor, rose gold watch-similar here)

Outfit of the Day- Monday Blues

Coming up with today's outfit was an exercise in discovering the holes in my wardrobe (gray shoes, cuter blue shoes, a new striped shirt, etc., etc). I was seriously on the verge of having way too many colors all in an effort to make sure I got to wear this purse (I just didn't want to change my purse from yesterday). And so began my case of the Mondays, but even the beginning of the week couldn't keep a smile off my face. I'll be heading down south to warm weather and palm trees in just a few days. This vacation is long overdue!!

Outfit Details:

Gray/white striped top- J Crew

Navy cotton pants- J Crew outlet

Metal necklace and orange bracelets- Hollywood Intuition for Target

Orange belt- Target

Navy patent heels- Pour La Victoire

Blue with orange trim handbag- Rebecca Minkoff Morning After Clutch

Outfit of the Day- Stripes Up Stripes Down

So begins another work week, but we do have one thing to look forward to, a holiday weekend with its own soundtrack (ridiculously loud fireworks)and yummy food.

I'm not one for mixing patterns, but today I took a baby toe dip into the trend and wore stripes on the top and bottom. My pants have a very subtle white stripe running down, but from far away they can look like regular old blue pants. I didn't go too crazy with mixing because I wanted to let the focus remain on top. I found this cardigan at Walmart for $14! Now I usually can't stand going into Walmart. The store is always crowded, I wait in line for what seems like forever, and the clothing selection doesn't compare to say, Target (I love you Tar-jay!); but I'm an equal opportunity bargain shopper. I know deals are to be had around any and every corner. This soft little number should serve its purpose until it disintegrates in the wash. Let's hope it waits at least 6 months (fingers crossed).

Outfit Details:

Brown/white cardigan- Walmart

Purple cami (underneath)- Hanky Panky

Blue/white stripe pants- J Crew outlet

Tan woven sandals- Belle by Sigerson Morrison

Purple handbag- Rebecca Minkoff Mini Matinee