Surely Sonsy

Candy Land

2012-02-17T10:00:00.000-06:00

The moment I had purchased this skirt from Dorothy Perkins, I knew my first wearing would be just like this. Yet another successful Pinterest inspiration! Yet another happy stripes purchase!

When I first saw her pictures, I thought the belt was red - a pairing I've come to love and was eager to replicate. But when I looked closer at the pictures when it came time to put together the outfit for myself, I realized the belt was pink! An even better, brighter, more colorful pairing. The cheeriness is infectious.

Ring - Ruche / Belt - Talbots / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Earrings - Banana Republic

But seriously, taking outfit inspiration from Pinterest is kind of like stealing candy from a baby. And this outfit kind of looks like candy.

Cardigan - LOFT / White tank - Anthropologie / Striped skirt - Dorothy Perkins /
Handbag - Gustto / Platforms - Nine West "Hopefloat" (via 6pm.com)

Easy Pieces

2012-02-16T10:00:00.000-06:00

Whatever's going around these days, I've got it. It started off quietly over the weekend with a sore throat, blossoming into a full-on flu with head and body ache and chest congestion yesterday. I went home sick, basically kicked out by my office mates, and proceeded to enjoy a steady diet of tea, saltines and ibuprofen while drifting in and out of consciousness on my couch. Hence, no post. =) I'm feeling a little better today, back at work but trying to take it easy. I need to be better by the weekend for my belated Valentine's dinner with Bob in Chicago!

Printed dress - Target / White cardigan - LOFT / Heels - Nine West "Hopefloat" (via 6pm.com) /
Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement

Therefore, I've donned an easy 10 year old jersey dress from Target (!!) with a belted cardigan. I wore it a few years ago, pre-blog, and I remembered how effortless it felt, and that I couldn't believe I still fit into the dress! Yay for jersey's forgiveness! I threw in red and pink accessories again in a subtle remembrance of Valentine's Day. Shoot, I almost wish this was my EBEW post!

Ring - TJ Maxx / Belt - Lane Bryant / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - LOFT

Olive Juice

2012-02-14T09:00:00.000-06:00

Happy Valentine's Day, dear readers!

I actually had trouble with this EBEW challenge. I do have red and pink pieces in my wardrobe, but nothing that really works together (or with my usual style), so I knew I was going to have to fall back on accessories. Moreover, I was worried that I'd be putting pieces together purely for the sake of participating, without much hope that the outfit would be anything I'd wear again. I'm pleased to say, however, that I might wear this combination without or without a Valentine's Day Challenge!

Pink belt - The Limited / Ring - Banana Republic / Pink earrings - LOFT

A pale pink belt and a red sweater; definitely a minimalist version of the challenge, but it's "me." (I'll save ground-breaking for other participants.) I did quite like how olive looked against all my red and pink pieces when I was trying on outfits, so I wanted to be sure to make it a part of the outfit, whatever I chose. My one contribution, I guess. =)

Red sweater - Lane Bryant / Olive ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted) / Handbag - Coach (gifted)

And now, sweethearts for all!

A Bright Future

2012-02-13T10:00:00.000-06:00

I blame Sal from Already Pretty and one of her Insomniac Sale Picks posts for making me think I needed a bright-colored blazer. And then I blame this pin for showing me an excellent way to wear it. And then I blame Gap for offering 40% of any full-priced item. Clearly, I did not act of my own accord in this situation.

Bright ponte blazer - Gap / Striped top - Gap / Black pants - NY&Co. /
Belt - The Limited / Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I wasn't sure if I was going to keep it - hot pink is not in my usual wardrobe vocabulary. And as trendy as neon colors seem to be for spring, I'm not usually one to follow trends just for the sake of following a trend, either. But then I got a ton of compliments on the blazer, and it fits very well and is pretty darn comfortable. (Ponte, duh.) So, crap, now I might have to keep it.

Necklace - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Earrings - The Limited / Ring - H&M

So tell me how else I can wear it, k?

Musical

2012-02-10T10:00:00.000-06:00

I attended a remarkable concert last night: the St Olaf Choir's 100th Anniversary Tour. It was a concert that made me miss the act of making music, especially singing in a choir. Yep, little known fact, I was a singer in college (a pianist, too), and some of my most cherished memories involve choirs and the music we created. The sound of the voice, of the harmonies and dissonances possible, the tone colors, the texts - these have always moved me more than anything else. And I just miss it. The choir's performance was inspiring: impassioned yet restrained, spiritual, genuine and nearly flawless. And it's got me thinking that I need to find ways to make music again...

Lucille lace skirt - c/o Kiyonna / Fur collar cardigan - Eloquii / Camisole - Eloquii /
Platforms - Nine West "Hopefloat" (via 6pm.com)

And so, a remarkable night calls for a remarkable outfit, does it not? (Or is it that a remarkable outfit calls for a remarkable night?) Absolutely. I received the luxurious Lucille Lace Skirt from Kiyonna just in time for this concert, and it was just what I wanted to wear for the occasion. It fits like a dream - comfortably fitted and hitting ever-so-perfectly below my knees. The seaming in the front draws nice lines along the body, and the champagne underlay is so classic and elegant. I felt like a million bucks; I felt like I owned the place (though in my position I guess in a sense I already do), commanding attention, respect, and even desire from all who crossed my path. Okay, okay...I might be getting carried away, but isn't that we should feel everyday? It never fails to amaze me what power clothing can have...

I did have some trouble fining the perfect top, however. Black lace over nude lining makes for rather limited outfit choices. The right silhouette, restrained details, and good structure were also important to me. I needed to find something that stood up to the skirt but didn't detract from it, something that highlighted my curves while highlighting the skirt itself.

I decided I needed to stick with a black top, using color where I could in other accessories. A buttoned cardigan seemed too plain, but I didn't have much else in my wardrobe (believe it or not). A portrait collar could be glorious, but I didn't have anything in the right color or material. (Velvet? No.) But thanks to Eloquii's 46% Superbowl day sale, I thought I'd try this fur collar wrap cardigan of theirs. It was final sale, but it was cheap and getting great reviews. I thought that its v-neck and wrap shape (which Kiyonna's ever-amazing Evania also recommended) would offer the perfect silhouette. The fur collar was a great detail on its own, but it also seemed a perfect complement to lace. (I'll have to thank the trends for this one.) It wasn't until I received it in the mail and tried it on did I realize that it really was the perfect top for the skirt. I could stop looking!

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - Anthropologie / Earrings - The Limited

I waited to choose accessories until I put everything on, rummaging through all my jewelry for the right color component. My inclination was turquoise, mainly because it was the same direction I went with the gold and black palette for NYE. But this was also why I wanted to do something different. Gold, definitely, but I need a little extra color somewhere. After a few misfires, I came to this striking peach stone necklace. It was just the right amount of color I was after, allowing me to leave my earrings and ring to simple golds. The only obvious choice in all of this were nude platforms, come to think of it...

A harmonious outfit, I dare say. Music to my ears. =)

Post-performance in the Lower Foyer of the Great Hall

True Blue

2012-02-09T10:00:00.000-06:00

This outfit seems to have a split personality: spring on top; winter on the bottom. I'm not sure if this is good or bad, but it's actually an apt representation of the back-and-forth weather we've been experiencing. I just wanted to wear the top, though, and tights were a requisite for the cold, snowy day. So there it is.

Top - Maurices / Jacket - Maurices / Pencil Skirt - Simply Be / Tights - ? /
Heels - Nine West (via 6pm.com) / Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

I was drawn to the top because of its vibrant color blocking and - you guessed it - stripes. I figured it would be a great option with a black pencil skirt as I've worn it here, or with black or denim skinnies for some other day. I added the off-white cropped jacket for a more casual look (and I loves me a cute cropped jacket), but I couldn't decide if I liked it better half-zipped, left open, or not at all. I felt like I needed to get another color or texture in there, too, but I had limited time to experiment. I'll save that for next time.

Ring - H&M / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - LOFT

What would you say if I told you I briefly considered mustard tights (with different shoes), though?

Recent Acquisitions: Lazy Wednesday Edition

2012-02-08T10:00:00.000-06:00

...also known as an I-absolutely-hated-yesterday's-outfit-so much-that-I-changed-into-something-I've-worn-recently-on-the-blog-during-my-lunch-break-and-therefore-don't-have-a-new-outfit post. It happens to all of us, doesn't it? (The rejected top is getting consigned pronto, in fact.) So instead I present to you all manner of goodies that are on their way to me now.

Antique Magnolias Blouse - Anthropologie

I've been lusting after this beautiful top forever, and it finally went on sale! Mine!!

Black ivory peplum dress - Dorothy Perkins

I've been wanting something with peplum lately, and Dorothy Perkins is just cranking out the goodies on that score. The best part? The price is always right! I couldn't decide between nude, blue or peach, but I finally picked this amazing graphic print. It has lots of potential to either go big with some bright platforms or toned down with a buttoned cardigan. I just wish they'd offer free return shipping so I can shop with a little less risk, though. There are some styles I want to try but I'm just not sure if they'll work for me. International return shipping is no joke...

Hopefloat - Nine West (via 6pm.com)

Believe it or not, I don't own a pair of black closed-toe platforms. I clearly had to remedy that with this crocodile-embossed pair - and priced at half off!

Stripe ponte pencil skirt - Dorothy Perkins

Stripes? Pencil skirt? Seems like a no-brainer to me. Gonna wear it just like this ASAP.

Leandra on White Air Jacket - Tibi (via Power Support USA)

Confession: this is my 5th iPhone case since I got my pretty white iPhone for Christmas. (This amazing case is now relegated to second place.) But how could I resist???

Naked2 - Urban Decay (via Sephora)

Everyone and their mom seems to be talking about this palette. I loves me some neutral eyeshadows (I haven't been able to wear anything but the Too Faced Naked Eye Palette since I got it in the fall), so I caved. I have yet to really experiment with combinations, though. Any favorites? I know you have it, too...

And now that I've shared this with you, I declare myself officially banned from shopping until the end of March. I'm serious. I have to be... I think I'm going to need your help, though.

Serpentine

2012-02-07T10:00:00.000-06:00

The more I wear this skirt, the more ways I find to wear it. Animal prints seem to be my first inclination these days, so I chose these new snakeskin print heels to be the focal point this time around. I just love their neutral color and textured pattern, and most especially that amazing pop-of-red trim.

Snakeskin print heels - Guess "Geenly" (via Endless) / Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - The Limited / Earrings - Ruche

I thought about a red skinny belt to echo that trim, but decided that it was one accessory too much. So a plain black cardigan and simple black belt was all I needed.

Pencil skirt - Eloquii / Black cardigan - LOFT / Cream lace cardigan - LOFT /
Belt - LOFT / Clutch - ASOS (gifted)

Navy is in the works for next time I wear this skirt...

Patented

2012-02-06T10:00:00.000-06:00

I'm rather at a loss for words today. Yesterday's Superbowl loss hit us so hard that we went right from the end of the game to the mostly uninspiring next episode of Downton Abbey. All around fandom misery. In short, I need some cheerfulness soon. I guess the fact that I have today off should give me some, eh? I've got errands to run, Starbucks to drink and a new dresser to pick out!

Top - Banana Republic / Skirt - Simply Be / Heels - Payless

This pretty pairing of my cherry blossom Banana Republic steal and navy pinstripe pencil skirt, worn for a busy night of work over the weekend, does cheer me up a bit. And the fact that it was warm enough to take pictures outside just as the sun began to set... I thought I'd turn up the accessory volume a bit and add a super-skinny light grey patent belt for extra color and more definition. There are so many pretty purples, pinks, blues and greys to pull out of the top that I thought a blue pinstripe would be a perfect way to mix a little pattern. A good pencil-skirtification (yep, I just made up that word) for its second wearing. I'm thinking grey tweed for next time...

Ring - H&M / Belt - Kohl's (gifted) / Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - The Limited

I am wary about this springlike weather, though. The fact that we've barely seen day under 40 degrees, let alone a proper snowfall, can only mean Mother Nature is going to beat us up in some other way down the line.

Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement)

Snoody

2012-02-03T10:00:00.000-06:00

My green dandelion snood (a.k.a. infinity scarf) makes another appearance. Granted, the outfit is comprised of the same color palette as the scarf's first wearing (er, last week), but that's what I love most about it.

Blazer - LOFT / Striped top - Dorothy Perkins / Skinny black pants - Lane Bryant /
Heels - Nine West "Hollyce"

I do think it's an all-around better ensemble, though. The pattern mixing with the striped top is something I had always envisioned to do with the scarf, and there's there's something delightfully Audrey Hepburn-y about the skinny black pant. The blazer was actually a last-minute addition. I was fully intending to walk out of the house with just top, scarf, pants and pumps, but a final mirror check urged me to add another layer and color. My trusty camel corduroy blazer topped off the outfit (literally) perfectly.

Dandelion print snood - Dorothy Perkins / Ring & earrings - The Limited

It's also my last outfit featuring this fantastic snakeskin Furla handbag. I really wanted to just buy the thing, but given that we just bought a new HDTV to properly watch the Superbowl (finally! a big kid TV! and a much better piece of furniture, really...) and are in the market for new bedroom furniture, methinks it's not a good idea. My one consolation is that I just bought these beautiful snakeskin heels, which make a nice substitute at a much lower price point. Imma wear them this weekend, in fact.

Handbag - Furla (via BBOS)

You might have also noticed my new haircut! Well, it's my usual haircut (though a bit shorter than I would have liked), but the highlights - which feature a lot more red than usual - are pretty much amazing.

Full Sun

2012-02-02T10:00:00.000-06:00

Mid-day full sun and 57 degrees called for a happy printed tee, denim pencil skirt and bare knees. I obliged.

Trench Girl Boatneck Tee - LOFT / Denim pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted) / Handbag - Tano

This adorable printed tee from LOFT is what spurred my recent LOFT purchase. I had to have it! To be honest, I'm not sure how else I'd want to wear it other than with a pencil skirt (jeans and a blazer, maybe? yoga pants, too, of course...) but for its first wearing - j'adore. In an attempt to accessorize a little more, I added an equally sunny belt to bring out more of the color on the tee.

You know what I just realized, though? The reason I probably fell in love with the tee in the first place is because I just want to dress like the girl on it... (Isn't there a psychological term for that?) Can't very well dress like said girl when I'm wearing a screen tee, though, eh?

Ring - Kohl's (gifted) / Earrings - LOFT / Skinny belt - The Limited

Mellow Yellow

2012-02-01T10:00:00.000-06:00

I told you I'd wear this Anthropologie super-score of a blazer again soon, and this time - as promised - it's an almost exact dupe of the catalog image. Cuz I love it.

Tartan Boucle Blazer - Anthropologie / Thermal tee - Anthropologie / Flare denim - Lane Bryant

That fabulous yellow handbag - the perfect pop of color against all the oranges, reds, greys and blues of the plaid - was an obvious missing piece of the puzzle, and much to my chagrin, I do not (yet) own one. Neither yellow camisole nor yellow necklace provided the right balance, either. But wait! An unseasonable 50 degree day not only let me take pictures back outside, but made sporting these fantastic~~ally uncomfortable~~ yellow lizard-embossed open toes possible! Thank goodness my NYE pedicure was still intact... I think I love the look even more than with the handbag!

Yellow peep-toes - Nine West

Who am I kidding. I still want a yellow handbag.

Necklace - Anthropologie / Earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Ruche

Dots and Stripes Forever

2012-01-31T10:00:00.000-06:00

There's a lot going on here, I know. Stripes, dots and animal print! Black and brown! I had two conflicting thoughts about this outfit: Obey Chanel's maxim to take off the last thing you put on (which would have been the belt), or challenge myself to step outside my comfort zone and just work it. I'm not totally convinced that it's not too much, but I'm proud of myself for sticking with it. I gotta say, though, I do quite like the mix of browns and blacks.

Striped top - Dorothy Perkins / Black ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant /
Scarf - Dorothy Perkins / Belt - Old Navy / Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted)

It all comes down to the fact that I really, really wanted to wear this scarf. Another Dorothy Perkins snood (just a Britishism for infinity scarf, methinks), the butterscotch brown and black dots make it somewhat hard to wear - I almost wish the dots were navy. But that's why I embraced the combination of colors in the scarf and mixed all those prints in the same color family. I like how the browns are on are the lighter side - more caramel than chocolate - which makes for a better contrast with black.

Handbag - Tano "Minilisa"

Mmm, now I want caramels...

Ring - The Limited / Earrings - LOFT

I always love how turquoise looks with brown, so it was an obvious choice for a little extra color against all these dark neutrals. Shoot, I kinda wish I had a turquoise belt now! It's always something, isn't it...

Dandy Lion

2012-01-30T10:00:00.000-06:00

So what if I wore this same color palette nearly all last week? I guess I've been on a taupe-black-green bender. And I still might threaten to wear more leopard and teal this week, too. In fact, I think you can count on it...

Black cardigan - LOFT / Taupe pencil skirt - NY&Co. / Cami - Anthropologie /
Bag - Coach (gifted) / Heels - Nine West

Color palette aside, I'm not in love with the outfit. A bit of boredom, a bit of poor fit. Well, you can't win 'em all. I do love the scarf, though. Truth be told, the entire outfit was built around it, inspired by my last wishlist set of unexpectedly complementary taupes, greens and blacks. I have a few more ideas up my sleeve ('round my neck?), but I think this post has successfully convinced me that it's time ~~to loose 15 pounds~~ for a new taupe pencil skirt.

Dandelion print snood - Dorothy Perkins / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - The Limited

Into the Wild

2012-01-27T10:00:00.000-06:00

This animal print pencil skirt is everything. Unbeknownst to me, it was my other sartorial holy grail. I continue to search for that perfect red pencil, but this amazing find from across the pond (the currently mind-blowing Dorothy Perkins) will most certainly hold me over until then.

Cardigan - LOFT / Camisole - Banana Republic / Pencil skirt - Dorothy Perkins /
Handbag - Steve Madden / Red patent pumps - Kelsi Dagger "Linzy" (eBayed)

I've really been drawn to the combination of leopard and teal lately, so I immediately knew I'd put these pieces together as soon as I had the skirt in my possession. In fact, I'm plotting to wear all possible permutations of such pieces in my closet, which should be easy since I don't have too much. Teals: this cardigan and my new Eloquii pencil skirt. Leopard print: this skirt, thrifted twist top, Banana Republic cardigan, skinny belt. Would I bore/exhaust you if I did all this, like, next week? ; )

And what goes better with teal and leopard better than fierce red patent? The same fabulous style from yesterday (I couldn't help myself and purchased them in two colors, as per usual), these platforms still don't really fly on an event night at work, though. Comfort is not really the issue, thanks to all that platform; rather, I blame the fit. Both pairs stretched out too much with my first wearing and made me walk like a little girl in her mother's shoes. What I really need is a size 10 1/2, but alas they just don't come in that size. So I'm hoping a second insert will help with that a bit. (That's right, one was not enough.) I would be devastated if I couldn't wear them very often, even if I do have to forgo them on event nights! I guess this means I'm still looking for the perfect red pump now, too...

Ring - Ruche / Necklace - Urban Outfitters / Earrings - Maurices

Shopping Math

2012-01-26T10:00:00.000-06:00

You know when there's one item you like at on online store but a) you're not sure of your size, b) you have to spend x dollars to get free shipping (and you refuse to pay for shipping) and c) everything is 40%? This means you have to spend y dollars before discount to get to x dollars for free shipping. And all you wanted was that one item. So you browse online for a bit and find 20 other items you kinda want (and certainly don't need), finally whittled down to a handful of items to get as close to y as possible. This includes getting two sizes of the initial item to make sure you get the size that works best, with the intention to return the sizes that don't, of course. (Bonus: you'll end up spending less than x in the end, while still getting free shipping! Woot!) Yeah, that's how this sweater happened.

Cardigan - LOFT / Tank - Anthropologie / Pencil skirt - Eloquii / Belt - LOFT /
Handbag - Furla (via Filene's Basement ) / Platform pumps - Kelsi Dagger "Linzy" (via Piperlime)

I mainly wanted this adorable printed tee from the LOFT (and this one too), but then I found this dreamy cardigan whilst browsing. I loves me some LOFT cardigans. I'm 99.2% positive that all cardigans in my closet are from the LOFT. (Er, actually a few are from Banana Republic, so nevermind.) I secretly hoped I wouldn't love it so I could return it, but it was the perfect blue polka-dotted delight with cute little bronze buttons... Oh well, my cardigans needed an update anyway.

Thus it should come as no surprise that I paired it with a pencil skirt for its first outing. And not just any pencil skirt, but my other recently acquired Eloquii pencil skirt that I now also adore. I wanted to belt it with a grey lizard skinny belt, but I couldn't find it anywhere, so regular ol' white it was. Avoiding matchy-matchiness further with shoe choice, I opted for these amazing mushroom patent platforms...even though they are completely impractical in my workplace. Birthday dinner, yes. Sitting at my desk, yes. Speed walking from one end of the lobby to the other, no. This makes me quite sad. Why can't I indulge in 5" platforms like everyone else?!?

I guess that's what this blog is for. =)

Ring - Banana Republic / Necklace - Lia Sophia (bridesmaid's gift) / Earrings - Kohl's (anniversary gift)

New Territory

2012-01-25T10:00:00.000-06:00

I bring you my first Eloquii purchase!

I kind of ignored their initial launch last fall. Though I loved their concept, I didn't care for anything they offered at the time, thinking it a rather boring and meager plus-sized selection of items from its older sister, The Limited. But after continued buzz over the past few months, I decided to give them another look. I was very pleased to see a much larger selection of items this time around, especially fabulous dresses and - wait for it - pencil skirts!

Cardigan - LOFT / Lace top - LOFT / Pencil skirt - Eloquii / Heels - Nine West

I am always, endlessly, often fruitlessly searching for well-made, great-fitting, just-below-knee-length pencil skirts. Basic colors are my bare minimum, but fun, bright ones - especially the perfect red - have become a personal holy grail. Now, I know Talbots technically fits that entire bill and then some, but I cannot justify shelling out $100+ per skirt, especially when I tend to buy in multiples when I find things that really work. So when I happened upon the selection of pencil skirts at Eloquii, I was thrilled! Teal! Purple! Basic browns, blacks and blues! And $60 with 40% off (at the time)!! Free shipping both ways (no risk to find the perfect fit)! YES TO ALL! Well, at least to teal and brown. For now, anyway.

Handbag - Furla Carmen Shopper Grande Handbag (via BBOS)

And it's a great skirt. The fit is generous, the length is ideal, and the color is saturated. It's lined and it even has a wide waistband that makes tucking in shirts perfection. I went with my usual size on bottom, 16, and while it fits a little bigger than a 16 at Lane Bryant or Talbots, I find that my post-holiday body prefers it that way. The only blip is a little extra room at the top hip, but it's not too noticeable and it fits well everywhere else. As you can see from the pictures, the skirt lays beautifully, and it is wonderfully comfortable.

What I'm most exited about is how this skirt has opened up all kinds of new outfit opportunities, breathing new life into one-hit-wonder tops. Ah, the combinations are endless!! I've always been a basic-colored-bottom kind of girl (if you haven't noticed), so this is really new territory for me. And I love it!

Ring, earrings and necklace - Banana Republic

Tropical Dreams

2012-01-24T10:00:00.000-06:00

This outfit is one I've actually been plotting for a while, but other recent favorites took precedence even when I did have the opportunity to dress up a bit. Goodness, it feels so good to break out the pencil skirts, though!

Happy tropical print (my second serendipitous H&M find, incidentally) with even happier blue pinstripe pencil skirt makes for some delightfully easy pattern mixing. It turned out to be a great color palette for winter, too, while hinting at warmer days - which might be tomorrow, for all I know. Snow (finally) one day, thunderstorms the next...this "winter" is weird...

Top - H&M / Blue pinstripe pencil skirt - Simply Be / Nude pumps - Nine West / Clutch - ASOS (gifted)

Necklace - LOFT / Earrings - Ruche / Ring - Ruche

Shiny Happy

2012-01-23T10:00:00.000-06:00

After a few weeks of (increasingly boring) casual dressing, I finally get to break out the fancy again! The regular performance season resumed last Friday and with it all the best reasons to wear pencil skirts and, that's right, sequins. Many argue about the place of sequins in the workplace, but my workplace is no office and this sequined top is no pushover.

Sequined top - Banana Republic / Pencil skirt - Simply Be / Black tights - LOFT /
Black heels - BBCG (eBayed) / Belt - Talbots

Oh, and it's yet another Banana Republic steal. I'm getting so good at this I can barely stand it! To be honest, I normally wouldn't even go for such a bedazzled top, but I loved the cut (elbow sleeves! wide scoop neck!) - not to mention the price ($30!) - so I couldn't really think of an excuse to not take it home with me. I loved it just with the jeans I tried it on with, so I knew wearing it with nearly any of my pencil skirts would be even more fabulous.

Handbag - Furla Carmen Shopper Grande Handbag (via BBOS)

I went for quiet class with a black pencil skirt, but for fear of being too fancy, I added colorful coral accessories in some hopes to bring it down just a notch. I really love the outfit, though. I just love being able to dress up, period.

Necklace - Anthropologie / Ring - Banana Republic (eBayed) / Earrings - The Limited

Furry Friend

2012-01-20T10:00:00.000-06:00

Hello, handbag. I've been wanting to test drive this furry Furla for months now. It finally came available and I had just enough credit in my BBOS account to get to play with it for a week. So, I've been intentionally building all my outfits around the bag in order to showcase it. It's harder than I thought it would be, but so far, so good.

Neo-Refinement Pullover - Anthropologie / Denim - Lane Bryant / Boots - CL by Laundry (via Famous Footwear) /
Handbag - Furla Carmen Shopper Grande Handbag (via BBOS)

Ironically, the top became the real showstopper, though. I always seem to get tons of compliments on this unique, structural sweater, and for good reason. It does wonders for showcasing my collarbones (a favorite feature of Bob's), is such a pretty winter color and is just all-around fabulous (even if wonky at times). I've already worn it with pants and a pencil skirt, so now that I've paired it with the ever pair-able jeans, the rotation may be complete. How should I wear it next?

Earrings - The Limited / Ring - Ruche

What do you think of the plain(ish) white background? I've started to think the bookshelf is too dark and too busy for a nighttime outfit backdrop, so I'm experimenting with the few white spaces I have in our small apartment. I'm not sure if it's quite right either, though...

Comfy Cozy

2012-01-18T21:00:00.000-06:00

Another amazing Banana Republic sale find, this merino wool drop-shoulder cardigan cost me all of $25 - originally $120!! I can't believe it was marked down that much in store when it's still a steep $100 online... (I'm the Banana Republic sale master lately!) It's simply the most cozy, soft, comfortable sweater - the only thing for a long, gloomy, cold January day.

Drop shoulder cardigan - Banana Republic / Stripe tee - LOFT / Jeans - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Famous Footwear / Handbag - Gustto

Jeans and a tee were my immediate inclination (with colorful accessories for fun), but I'd like to see how it fares with a colorful pencil skirt, tights and boots. Hmm, the outfit in my head is coming together quite nicely...

Earrings - Lane Bryant / Ring - The Limited / Necklace - Ten Thousand Villages

Told You So

2012-01-17T22:00:00.000-06:00

Whoops, I kind of disappeared there for a minute! I got so much accomplished over the long weekend (new closet hangers! finally-hung-up bedroom curtains! newly-hooked-up Wii on which to stream Netflix and become addicted to Downton Abbey!) that it has - once again - been difficult to resume regular life. But alas, it resumes whether you're ready or not.

Burgundy tee - LOFT / Olive ponte pencil skirt - Lane Bryant / Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted) /
Handbag - Coach (gifted)

Makes for a great day to fall back on old reliable outfit formulas, no? See, I told you you'd see it sooner than later. =)

I might have cheated (and heard from lots of you who do the same) and tied a regular scarf in the back to turn it into my ever-preferred infinity scarf. It's genius, really.

Chain-print scarf - Affordable Scarves / Ring - Ruche / Earrings - Anthropologie

Sunless

2012-01-13T13:57:00.000-06:00

Between the gloomy, cloudy day and my relatively colorless top, today's outfit pictures look pretty drab. I had considered layering with a blazer of some sort (olive? navy?) and decided against it at the last minute, but I do think it needs a little something extra. Like a...

Top - Anthropologie / Tank - Anthropologie / Denim - Lane Bryant / Belt - Talbots /
Booties - Nine West (via Amazon) / Handbag - Gustto

...bright pink handbag! Since the bag pretty much just sits on my desk at work, though, it can only do so much good. Maybe bright pink belt for next time? Or maybe some sunlight. Yeah, I like the sound of that...

Necklace and earrings - Banana Republic / Ring - Ruche

What is everyone doing this weekend? Do you have Monday off? I ordered a bunch of slim flocked hangers to completely redo my closet. Hoping for more space when I'm done!

Formulaic

2012-01-12T10:00:00.000-06:00

I've stumbled onto another outfit formula. Well, it's really the same formula as this one, but the use of solid tees rather than striped ones has doubled the remix potential. And I have lots...

Blue tee - LOFT / Grey ponte skirt - Lane Bryant / Tights - Lane Bryant /
Boots - Coconuts via DSW (gifted)

It also makes me revisit my small but growing scarf collection. As you've probably noticed, I prefer infinity scarves, and I want more. And more. They're a fool-proof accessory - such a great way to get a little print or pop of color into an outfit, and you don't have to worry about how to tie the darn things.

Scarf - Affordablescarves.com / Ring & earrings - Ruche /
Nails - Frankly I Don't Give A-dam (Sephora O.P.I.)

I'm just warning you, but you will likely see yet another variation of this outfit sooner rather than later.

Handbag - Urban Outfitters

Carbon Copy

2012-01-11T10:00:00.000-06:00

There are couple things going on here. 1) I simply had to have this beautifully designed top* and 2) I pretty much wanted to wear it exactly like this. I didn't do too bad, eh?

Normally, I'd shy away from that much of a close fit all over, but I thought the look was so luxe and so classic that I could not help myself. Besides, the cocoon elbow-length sleeves and perfectly placed ruching along the hips make it easy to feel comfortable in your own skin. Bottom line, though, confidence had to be an important accessory!

Cabaret Cowl Neck Top - Kiyonna / Dark skinnies - Gap / Handbag - Furla (via BBOS) /
Nude pumps - Nine West (via Zappos)

I duplicated that image right down to the accessories. I loved the look of the necklace plunging down the center of the décolletage, so I was pretty stoked to find similar tassel jewelry at Ruche. (My jewelry go-to, for sure!) Nude heels? Check. (Every shoe wardrobe should include a pair!) My only additions were my fantastic snakeskin bag (which I'm just thinking of buying, by the way) and a big ring in a pop of turquoise. When it ain't broke, you know?

Necklace & earrings - Ruche / Ring - Ruche / Nailolish - "Frankly I Don't Give A-dam" (Sephora by O.P.I.)

The outfit did need to serve a dual purpose, though - work for (a loooong) day, drinks/farewell party for night. Thanks to all that confidence, I thought it was just a bit too sexy for daytime. =) Throw on a camel blazer (also good for covering up any wavering moments of insecurity) and I was good to go.

*The top was purchased with a gift card provided by Kiyonna.