Many Ways OOTD: I'll prove it to ya!

Because of my blog, my IRL friends sometimes assume I would be a very fun person to shop with. After all, I clearly enjoy shopping and often seem to find a good bargain.

Like this skirt! Which only cost $30!
Mossimo for Target top (M), Hi There! by Karen Walker for Anthropologie Pleated Skirt (8) (sold out*) (similar* for $30), Payless Chelsea Flats (9, TTS) (here*), Marc by Marc Jacobs Marci Watch (here*), Necklace from Eastern Market in DC, Kate Spade Square Stud Earrings (similar* for $10, similar* for $5)

Truth is, I'm pretty terrible in a female shopping posse. I often get distracted shiny or chambray things and walk off unannounced, I rarely bring an appropriate amount of clothing into the fitting room (either too much or too little), and I am fairly bad at giving people advice on what clothing they should try on, buy, or leave behind.

Maybe worst of all, though, I often fail to take well-intentioned advice from my friends when they try to tell me to take off my sale googles and not buy whatever item I happen to be contemplating at the time. (See, e.g., these crotchy Anthro pants, which were $20 and which my friends told me not to buy (note: I love them and wear them often, even if they do kind of look like those nutso DVF pants we were laughing about but that I secretly love)).

Like this skirt! Which my friends suggested I not buy because the waist is kind of weird and it's dry clean only.
Anthropologie Ridged Ribs Boatneck (TERRIBLE!  Shrunk dramatically in the wash, even though it's labeled as washable :-( ), Hi There! by Karen Walker for Anthropologie Pleated Skirt (8) (sold out*) (similar* for $30), Kate Spade Glasses Necklace (kinda similary*), J.Crew Cece Flats (TTS and quite comfy) (here*), Marc by Marc Jacobs Marci Watch (here*), Kate Spade Square Stud Earrings (similar* for $10, similar* for $5)

But sometimes I just KNOW that a certain item and I are going to get along swimmingly. I look at the piece and understand where it will fit in my wardrobe and know, from prior experience with similar pieces, that it will get a lot of wear.

Like this other elastic-waisted pleated midi skirt (Anthropologie's "Million Pleats Midi"), which is one of my favorites!

So, there are some times when I need to apologize to my well-meaning and wonderful friends for flying in the face of their "don't buy that!" advice. And on those occasions, wearing said "that" several times in a two-week span of time seems like the best way to honor their intentions...

Like with this skirt!
Gap T-shirt (here*), Ann Taylor Loft sweater (L) (similar* for $21), Hi There! by Karen Walker for Anthropologie Pleated Skirt (8) (sold out*) (similar* for $30), J.Crew Cece Flats (here*), Necklace from Alexa Crawford (ancient) (sort of similar*), Michael Kors Davenport Watch in Rose Gold (here* in leopard print), Earrings from Eastern Market in DC (similar* for $6)

So, thank you, friends. And I'm sorry I didn't listen to you, but as you can see, I love the skirt!  Even if I sort of wore it exactly the same way but with minor variations three times in a row.  I'll branch out from dark/baggy top+flats next time, I promise.  (Also, I machine-washed it and it was totally fine.)

How was your weekend?

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Two Ways OOTD: Skipping Monday

I had a very weird day last Monday. Remember when I told you I was working late on Sunday? Well, "late" slowly became "all night" and eventually I found myself leaving the office at 7:30 am to go home, change, and come back. I spent most of Monday in a confused stupor, feeling like it was not quite the workweek but also clearly not the weekend.

In a way, it's almost as though I didn't have a Monday at all! So I'll call that a win and I will hear no dissension.

On those days when I know it's going to be a long one (or when I know I will be continuing a long one), I do my best to dress as comfortably as I can justify. After being awake for 30 hours straight, the last thing I want is to be wrangling an uncomfortable waistband.

Which brings me to this skirt, which Anthropologie called the Million Pleats Midi:

Although I curse fate sometimes for my failure to buy the lovely pale pink color (here), I'm still quite happy with this skirt overall. It has a stretchy waistband (hello law firm summer program extra five pounds, please do not make yourself at home) and it is long enough that I can safely sit cross-legged in my office chair without the risk of overexposure to random pop-ins.

Here's how I've worn it recently:

(After my all-nighter:  Anthro Take Two Shirt, Anthro Million Pleats Midi, Payless Chelsea Flats (here), Coach hobo bag, J.Crew Factory Cluster Earrings, Michael Kors Watch, DIY Hedgehog Neckalce (inspired by) (check out Another Anthro Blog's awesome and improved adaptation of that DIY!))

(A few months ago on a trip to our firm's New York office:  Anthro Cricket Top, Anthro Million Pleats Midi, Payless Chelsea Flats (here), J.Crew Factory Resin Droplet Necklace (here), Omega Watch)

As comfortable as I felt in these outfits, I think I will try going with a more structured shirt next time I wear this skirt. I didn't feel sloppy when I wore these, but these outfits don't look as put-together in these photos!

Do you have any work-appropriate pieces that you whip out on days you know you want to be very comfortable? What are your go-tos?

Two Ways: White Blazer

(My work schedule often leaves little time for blog posting but more than enough time for blog-picture-taking-with-my-iPhone. One of the advantages for you, dear reader, is that my accumulated backlog of posts often includes one item worn multiple ways. That's interesting right? RIGHT? Anyway, that's where this "Two Ways" idea came from. See others {here}.)

It doesn't take much more than Suri Cruise telling me it's white shoe season {here} for me to start playing around with my white clothing items. I bought this blazer from H&M a month ago in NYC {here} and so far it's treated me reasonably well.

I couldn't tell you why, but I generally seem to find myself struggling with the color white. Something about it is difficult for me to wear, and yet I'm drawn to it like a masochistic moth to a sartorially sadistic flame. Whenever I spot myself saving images of (other people's) outfits I like, it's almost always an outfit involving white.

In any case, the lovely spring weather makes the color white feel easier.


Look One: Ahoy, Blazey

I got a reprieve from work last weekend and spent the day in Annapolis with my boyfriend. I often feel the need to wear some kind of nautical costume whenever I go to seafaring towns, hence this contrasting duo.

H&M blazer (10), Anthro Slubby Tulip Dress (M), Nine West Loafers, J. Crew belt, Anthro Spotted Satchel, Kate Spade "It Takes All Sorts" necklace, earrings via ideeli.

Look Two: Working It (Out)

OMG, what a cheesy title. Go ahead and unfollow if you have to; no hard feelings.

In this outfit: Anthropologie Sketched Danios Dress (4), H&M blazer, Anthropologie Pirouette Flats, Forever 21 necklace (old), Kate Spade studs, Ripplio watch ({here}, no longer available in this color scheme), Anthropologie Bold Strokes Satchel.

This is today's work outfit. I rarely wear this dress because it's pretty unflattering around the tummy section. Also, the pattern is a bit...unusual. (previous outfits {here} and {here}.) However, I've been noticing the positive effects of {my commuter-cizing regimen}* and feeling more confident in my clothes, so this is the result. I feel springy!


* One downside to the regimen: stupid injuries. I slipped in the office gym last week and fell knees-first onto a rough plastic grate, tearing up the skin on my right knee (I.e., a day off running). Today, my kettle bell workout was sidelined because I aggravated a muscle in my shoulder while riding my bike yesterday with a heavy load slung over my arm.

The gym fall was gory.

Stepping down my workout to account for injuries reminds me of how much I have come to rely on the morning energy expenditure for balance throughout my day! Also, Ann over at My Own Little Spot never fails to get me pumped for pumping iron (see, e.g., {here}).

How was your weekend? Is the weather warming up where you are? It's supposed to hit NINETY in D.C. today!

Two (of the same) Ways: Split Pea Trousers

I have a very sad story to tell you about these pants.




But I'll save that story for another day.  First, why not remember them in happier times?

I wore both of these looks to work in the last month:

It's interesting how different these two outfits look despite the fact that they're almost identical:  same pants; same colors (black on top, neutral silver-ish shoes).  I suppose they both look polished enough for business casual, but I'll never ceased to be amazed by the miracles a simple black blazer can perform when added to nearly any outfit.  The second look seems much more slimming and crisp by virtue of that addition.

Perhaps I'm partial to the second outfit because it features two of the items in my closet I consider to be magical:  my lace Ann Taylor shirt and my UO (via Gabriel Brothers) black blazer.  Whenver I'm struggling with what to wear, I know I can trust these pieces to work with whatever random clothing item is giving me trouble on a given day.  Of course, the chambray shirt in the first shot is a bit magical, too.  (See, e.g., here for uses of chambray button-downs.)

What are your "magical" items?

Two Ways (Squared): Wily Sweater and Bovary Dress

Okay, you guys are completely hilarious.  Your responses to yesterday's poll (also here) had me laughing all day.  Unfortunately, it was the kind of laughter I couldn't really share with anybody else, because it's hard to start conversations with, "This funny thing happened on my blog today."  Believe me, I've tried.  Those conversations fail with a special type of awkwardness.

I do love that ridiculous bunny hat, but I'm willing to admit that I may be wearing my craycray glasses given the overwhelming crush of popular opinion:

I'll put the $45 towards something a bit more---let's just say---wearable on an every day basis.  If you were one of the 16 people who liked it, though, keep checking back at ASOS for my hat to pop back into stock!  ::evil grin::

Speaking of wearable on a daily basis, allow me to continue clearing out some of my backlog of outfit photos (pre-New Year's resolution) with somewhat of a "Two Ways" squared:  a crossover between the Wily Sweater and the Bovary Dress.

Let's meet the characters, shall we?

First, the Wily Sweater.  I included this piece in my last round of "Use it or Lose it" items.  As I'm sure you can imagine from the fact that there are two very different and relatively strong patterns on this sweater, it's a bit hard to work into an outfit.  Cute with self-contained layers, but not a magical goes-with-anything piece by any means.  I didn't use the sweater within the time frame, but I did wear it shortly afterwards on a weekend:

(Anthro Wily Sweater (M); Pure + Good Tee (S); AG Stevie Cords (28); J.Crew Factory Tortoise Pumps (9.5 -- up .5 size; flea market necklace)

Next, allow me to re-introduce the Bovary Dress.  You two have already met.

(An Anthro explosion: Anthropologie Bovary Dress (4 -- sized down one size); Anthropologie Wreathen Blouse (S); Anthropologie Shadowsleeve Cardigan (M); Anthropologie Gift Bow Belt (L); Anthropologie Bowtied Lacerta Mary Janes (8.5 -- down .5 size); Kate Spade "It Takes All Sorts" Necklace; J.Crew bracelet, Amazon Crawford Boyfriend Watch in Rose Gold (here))

I love the length and feel of the Bovary dress.  The delicate pattern is so pretty, and the elastic all over the place makes it supremely comfortable for a day of sitting at my desk.  (The straps are a little pull-y, but it's not terribly distracting.)  The draping of the bodice is flattering over the torso and stomach, even for those of us unfortunate enough to sport baby bumps when definitively not with child.

However, with the low-cut sweetheart neckline, the only way it's work-appropriate is with some significant layering.  So what better match-up, I ask you, than a dress in need of layers and a cardigan bringing two of its own to the table?

(Wily Sweater, Bovary Dress, Anthropologie Airy Weave Pullover (S); Seychelles Hamburg Pumps (9, TTS) (here, or here in pewter for only $20!!); Lela Rowe Necklace ($5 in NYC sample sale); earrings via Filene's Basement circa 2007)

To make the transition from work (boobs = detrimental distraction) to poker (boobs = helpful distraction), I took off the pullover.

Viola! 

See?  Backlogs can be fun!

Two Ways: Red-Bottomed Girl

One of the nice things about accumulating a backlog of unposted outfits is that by the time I get around to posting an outfit photo, I've often worn a particular item again in the meantime.  (See, e.g., here.)

This particular "Two Ways" post features not the same, but a similar item worn two different ways:  the bold red skirt.  You can tell these outfits have been stewing for a while because I'm not wearing tights!  (Although, with this wacky January weather, I guess you never know.)

In this Outfit:

Anthropologie Cissus Button-Up (S) (similar here for $20)

Yona Baraschi Tomato-Picking Skirt (8)

J.Crew Painted Denim Belt

Anthropologie Lavandula Heels by Everybody (9.5)

J.Crew Stretchy Pearl Bracelet

Earrings via Eastern Market in D.C.

Fossil Watch

In THIS Outfit:

UO top (M)

J.Crew Jackie Cardigan in Black (M) (here)

Anthropologie Cargo Pocket Sweater Skirt (S)

Kate Spade Hang in There Glasses Pendant

Dexter for Payless Karma Pumps (9) ($17 here)

Coach Pave Ball Earrings

Crawford Boyfriend watch in rose gold ($20 here)

I like both of these outfits, but I think it's interesting that I opted for a loose top with the looser-looking skirt and a fitted top with the fitted skirt.  Usually my tendency is to balance the form-fittedness of one half with a looser second half.  The next time I wear each of these pieces I'd like to try that.

(Notice:  I'm going to attempt to clear my backlogged photos over the next week or so, and hopefully we'll transition to 75% outdoor shots.  As much as I love the bathroom mirror in my office...)

Two Ways: Anthropologie Checked Crops

Could it be that just a few weeks ago I was bemoaning the fact that I hated pants?  It seems like, since then, the universe has smote me with not one, not two, but FIVE pairs of pants that I simply love.  How could this have happened?  Is this an "ask and ye shall receive" kind of thing?  Did I mention the fact that I totally hate winning the lottery?

These pants:  Anthro Cuffed Tweed Crops (6), Anthro Dapper & Dashing Trousers (8), J.Crew Minnies (Tall 6), Anthro Colloquium Trousers (6).  Not pictured:  Anthro Checked Crops (6)

In contrast to the type of pants in which I feel awkward, the pants I apparently love are (mostly) slim-cut, well-tailored, and cropped with enough room to show off my shoes.

It may come as no surprise, then, that I wore my Anthro Checked Crops two days in a row---on Sunday to a casual brunch with lady friends, and on Monday to work.

Sunday Brunch:

I was worried I'd have a hard time wearing these pants because of the colorful checked pattern, but it seems that the pattern is subtle enough so as not to demand TOO much attention.  I don't think I'll be pairing these pants with a patterned top anytime soon, but they work well with subdued solid shades.

In this Outfit:

J.Crew Tissue Tee

Anthropologie Checked Crops (6)

Anthropologie Felted Colorbar Cardigan (M)

Payless Women's Chelsea Flat (9, TTS) ($17 here)

Geneva Crawford Boyfriend Watch in Rose Gold ($16 here)

Anthro Pave Posts ($24 here)

Anthro Bassotto Necklace

Man Repeller Glasses via Four Eyers

Monday at Work:

This outfit (worn on Monday) was an intentional and somewhat less successful style steal of Kendi's beautiful outfit here.  It turned into an embarrassing and unintentional rip-off yesterday when Kendi posted an outfit featuring these shoes, too.  The shoes were the only original part of this outfit!  Prompt posting fail.

In this Outfit:

J.Crew Blouse

Anthropologie Checked Crops (6)

Anthropologie Tied Trail Cardigan (M)

Unknown Belt (found while unpacking my scarves)

Lela Rowe for Payless Women's Travis Colorblock Pump ($55 here --- note, don't buy these full-price.  I liked them at 30% off (the store was closing), but wait for sale.  They're all artificial materials and not worth almost $60 IMO.)

Owl Earrings from NYC Street Vendor

Anthropologie Frozen Globes Necklace

Geneva Acrylic Tortoise Watch (here)

Am I the only one to have publicly sworn something off only to completely eat my words within days?