Summertime Professional

I recently had to attend an event that required professional attire.  As a teacher with a great summer vacation, looking professional during the summer is rarely ever a requirement for me, and pulling out a stuffy suit is the last thing I want to do.  So starting with my favorite blazer, I decided to add some bold summer color with this beautiful silk skirt.  To tone it down a bit, I kept my top and jewelry very neutral.  

Hope you enjoy my dog's photo-bomb.  You might think that she's smiling at you, but she's really just eating a stick... yes, a stick.  Obviously she isn't the one who had to be a professional today.

Blazer: Gap

Skirt: J.Crew

Silk Top: J.Jill

Shoes: Levity via DSW

Necklace: The Limited

Panic Mode

This past week has been nothing but running errands and working on wedding projects.  All of my procrastination caught up with me, and I entered panic mode for a few days.

I'm still working on getting myself organized... and I've realized that my crazy schedule will absolutely not let up until September.   Sorry, folks, but this is the first time over the past few days that I've put on anything more interesting than a Hanes t-shirt and gym shorts.

 Button Down: Gap

Cropped Pants: Loft

Wedges: Gap

Necklace: H&M

Birthday Bridal Shower

An amazing bridal shower/birthday weekend, the end of my school year coming up next week, and many other busy moments in my life have been keeping me from this blog.  But I refuse to wave the white flag.  Next weekend marks the beginning of my summer vacation, and I'm promising to get back on track with some well-planned outfits.

In the mean time, settle for a picture of a dress I purchased months ago from Banana Republic.  I loved this dress so much, I knew it had to be saved for something very special.  

Dress: Banana Republic

Heels: Nine West

Pearl Earrings & Pearl Bracelet: Ross Simons

Bow Bouquet: My beautiful family and friends

Everybody Everywear: Nautical

I'm not sure if this is the most nautical outfit I could have pulled together, but I wasn't willing to wear anything other than this dress today.  It's comfortable and easy, and definitely a good way to avoid tearing apart your closet on a busy Tuesday morning.

My love of red/white/blue combos and stripes is clearly out of control.  If you're interested, check out a few more nautical-inspired outfits here, here, here, here and here! 

Dress: Loft Outlet

Blazer: Gap

Bag: Target

Heels & Necklace: H&M

Everybody Everywear: Green

I definitely should have gotten a little more creative with this Everybody Everywear post, but I just needed one more excuse to wear these pants again.  

I apologize for the messy wrinkles (it's been a looong day), but I'm not sorry for the putting the pants on repeat.  These things are so soft, I just might wear them to the gym.  (And let's face it, we've probably all seen people wear stranger things on the treadmill.)

Blouse and Pants: Gap

Pineapple Necklace: H&M

Watch: Michael Kors

Heels: Urban Outfitters

Pink Silk

This skirt has been sitting in my closet for a while now.  

Yes, basically what I just wrote should be a crime.

I purchased this fantastic silk garment before Christmas, and for some insane reason, I haven't given it a spin around town, until now.  Soft, silky, Betty Draper-like attire that I've been passing up day after day?!

I'm ashamed of myself.

Cardigan: Loft

Skirt: J.Crew

Bracelets: H&M and Vintage

Heels: Urban Outfitters

A Christmas Outfit

It's sort of a crime that these pictures came out so dark.  This is one of my favorite outfits that I've pulled together in quite a long time.  It's classic and a little dressy, and I love the bold necklace and the bright blue pants.  I didn't really have a legit reason to dress up on Christmas... most of my family doesn't do it, but I'm happy I came up with an outfit that I can re-wear (over and over and over)!

 Blazer: Gap

Clutch: H&M

Top: Ann Taylor

Cropped Pants: Loft

Heels: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Guess Outlet

A Holiday Away

We just returned from our Holiday away... what a great few days!  Here is a picture of E and I on Christmas Eve afternoon, just before our big dinner with his family.

On Erik:

Pants, Belt & Velvet Blazer: Gap

Tie: Geoffrey Beene

Shirt: Calvin Klein

On Me:

Dress: Vintage

Blazer: Gap

Heels: H&M

Necklace: Guess

Earrings: InPink 

Leopard Heels and a Hanes T

Somewhere in between the transition from work clothes to pajamas, I made a pit stop on my Halloween costume.  Then things started getting thrown around, and before I knew it, I stumbled upon this little gem of an outfit.  Work sweater, pajama t-shirt underneath... pair it with my favorite shoes and skirt, and I dig it.  

Leopard print heels with a Hanes t-shirt sums me up pretty well, whether it's a good thing or not.

Sweater & Skirt: H&M

T-Shirt: Hanes

Heels: Seychelles

One Bow After Another

I started follow Saucy Glossie's sweet style after she was featured on the TJ Maxx commercial, and I just love what she puts together.  Yesterday I was so excited to see her wear the same coat that I recently purchased at H&M, and then when I started admiring her tights, I realized that I was crazy for letting a similar remain in my closet....unworn!

I'm not quite on the same level as this stylish lady... my shoes are cheap, I have no fancy hats, and my almost-nighttime pictures are more than just unfortunate.  BUT, at least I've got the coat.  Win.

Watch: Michael Kors

Heels: Urban Outfitters

Tights: Anne Klein via DSW Shoes

Bag: Madi via Marshal's (several years ago)

Coat: H&M (and yes, the adorable bow a belt that comes with the coat)

I'm Not Kidding

Ever have a rut with your personal style and all you want to do is wear the same comfy outfit every day?  I've been in that rut for a while now...and wearing Hawaiian-themed pajamas to work just isn't going to cut it.  I wish I could trust E to dress me in the mornings.  Now isn't that a great wish?  A man who you could trust to dress you each morning?  Unfortunately, Erik can't be trusted with much.  In fact, just last night, he recommended photoshopping a giant picture of our cat into our save-the-date photo.  

...aannnnnd, I'm not kidding.

 Blouse: Pins & Needles via Urban Outfitters

Blazer & Pants: Gap

Heels: Urban Outfitters

Watch: Michael Kors

Necklace: Loft

Belt: Target

Scarf Season

Remember my rant last month about missing scarves?  Well, finally my scarf drawer is back in business. My favorite part about a scarf is that your outfit can be completely boring and everyone is always distracted by the pretty patterned piece of fabric!  (That's some fanTAStic alliteration, isn't it?!)  

I also love that it is completely flexible with my inability to commit to one look each day.  I've worn this scarf in many different ways, and I love constantly changing.

Do you stick to wearing your scarf one way, or are you also switching it around throughout your day?

                   

Wrap Dress: The Limited (over 10 years old!)

Heels: Urban Outfitters

Bracelet: Loft

Scarf: H&M

Grandma's Pearls

My grandmother had a lot of costume jewelry that she never wore.  Years ago she passed along many pieces to me, including these pearls.  

So before you lecture me about what I did to this necklace, oooobviously they are not real pearls.  They also have this really great stretchiness to them that allows you to easily knot them. 

Now, what to do with all of those clip-on earrings she gave me... 

Skirt: Banana Republic

Blouse: Gap

Heels: Urban Outfitters

On Repeat

Today was a busy work day, and I felt compelled to wear something I really love.  My '80s power suit was at the cleaners, so I turned back to this old pic.  Well, it's not really old.  At all.  But I loved the outfit, so I made a few minor changes and walked out the door with a smile on my face.  Two prints that don't match, some bright colors, and my favorite pants?  That's my power suit.

Blazer & Pants: Gap

Shoes: Seychelles

Scarf & Blouse: H&M

Necklace: Loft