The Skirt I Did Not Know I Needed Until I Found It

Do you ever get fixated on an item of clothing and think "if only I could find a grey sweater with bunny appliqués" for the fall, then I'd be set? In my case, the elusive item was a pair of camel colored wool trousers. I had a very specific image in mind and was convinced that if I could find them then all my wardrobe problems would be solved.

Of course as soon as I decided that was what I needed, the fashion industry conspired to stop making (affordable) camel colored wool trousers. J. Crew came close but the price tag and the fact it was not in my beloved "city fit" gave me pause.

I was so despondent about my lack of the right pants, I did what anyone would do and went to Target for a pick me up. And there I saw this skirt and I realized that I did not need camel colored wool trousers (well maybe I do but they can wait) but I did need this camel colored knit skirt. Just like finding the right partner in life - you never know what you need until you find it. (Yes I just compared finding one's soul mate to buying a cheap skirt at Target.)

Skirt: Target
Sweaters: Lands End Canvas
Shoes: Asos
Necklace: Gift

Theoretically Awesome Albeit Boring

Remember a few weeks ago when I was bragging about my thrift haul, which included a brand new Theory pantsuit for $12.50? Well here's the suit in all its boring awesomeness. One of the drawbacks of having to go to court is that I have to wear suits a lot, which I am certain is the ONLY reason* I will never be featured as a cool fashion blogger in Lucky magazine or get sponsored by cool brands who give me swag and send me to conferences :) But the upside to wearing suits - is they are easy. Just toss one on, pick a pretty blouse and you are out the door in less than 5 minutes. It also helps to have had your power turned back on so you can see what you are doing.

Suit: Theory via Goodwill
Blouse: Akiko via TJ Maxx
Shoes: Bass



* well it might also be my advanced age, lumpy figure, pedestrian tastes, and occasional tendency to make puns (aka "theoretically awesome" / theory pantsuit - get it?!? :)

Powerless

Like much of the East Coast - we have been without power since early Sunday morning. I was so desperate for coffee (and (confession) the internet) that I left the house at 6am and came to work. Luckily, this sweater was at the front of the closet so getting dressed was the easiest part of my morning. It might not look like much in this photo, but this sweater is awesome. Comfortable, cute, and goes with everything.

Sweater: Old Navy
Skirt: Target
Shoes: RJ Girl

Casual Friday

Those of you who have been following along with my various "surprise court appearance" wardrobe malfunctions, might be relieved* to know that I finally got around to buying an inexpensive pants suit that I can keep at the office. This gives me the freedom to dress a little more casually when I feel like it, as I clearly did today.

* or not, as I can only imagine this blog brings out a lot of schadenfreude from my readers. If you fall into this camp, don't worry I am sure to have more hilarious wardrobe exploits even with a back-up plan (including, but not limited to, the fact that the pants I purchased are a size too small and if I don't lose all the cupcake weight I gained this month - I will not be able to button them).


Shirt: Ellen Tracy via TJ Maxx
Blazer: Banana Republic via local consignment store
Jeans: Levis via Savers
Shoes: Dr. Martens

Inspired

This outfit was inspired by J. Crew's fall collection. Although I have always liked J. Crew, this season I am positively obsessed. I think my pintrest board is 50% J. Crew and 50% DVF this season. Since my wallet is not as big as my wishlist, I have had to make some compromises in my purchasing. Instead of this sweater (in the gorgeous bright dahlia) I found the one I am wearing for $12 at Old Navy. Instead of these shoes, I went with my trusty Urban Outfitters pumps.

Sweater: Old Navy
Belt: BR thrifted
Skirt: J. Crew No. 2 Pencil Skirt in leopard
Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Whatever

The theme to this morning's outfit - whatever (said with a teenager's sour disposition). First step - put on a black bra and a sheer red shirt. Notice bra is completely visible, shrug shoulders and say "whatever". Look for a cardigan to hide bra and shirt, find one that is small and the wrong color and put it on. Debate whether color combination is really cool or really ugly, shrug shoulders and say "whatever". Next look for clean pants that fit. Find ones with stain on knee instead, shrug shoulders and say "whatever". Lather rinse repeat with shoes, hair styling and make-up.

Shirt: vintage '80s, thrifted
Sweater: Target
Pants: Old Navy
Shoes: Eddie Bauer

Helpful Hints

If you haven't figured it out by now, I am not a fashion expert. I cannot tell you what brands are hot or what the latest fashion trends are going to be. However, there is one sartorial subject upon which I do consider myself an expert - namely - what to wear the day after you eat your weight in ice cream cake, fondue, and beer. I present exhibit A - a large (hides bulges) and soft (nice and quiet if you have a hangover) tunic (with pockets for your Advil); soft forgiving stretch pants; and flats.

Tunic: ? via TJ Maxx clearance rack
Jeans: Urban Outfitters
Shoes: Calvin Klein

Wacky Things I Bought on the Internet

I found this vintage dress on sale on etsy and I had to have it. I am not sure if I'm brave enough to wear it to work, but it was perfect* for last night's birthday dinner with mr. deathstar. I will probably remove the shoulder pads before I wear it again but other than that I am in love.

* caveat - as you can probably tell, the dress is snug and by the third course I had to take off the belt or risk it breaking a rib.

Dress: Vintage from Ms. Tips at etsy (super sweet seller)
Shoes: Urban Outfitter
Purse: Rebecca Minkoff
Bracelet: gift from mr. deathstar



See more vintage here



Spunky Chateu

Thoughtful Cats

Look what my cats sent me for my birthday! I suspect they had some help from mr. deathstar.

Not Expecting

In case you were wondering, I am not pregnant. I just chose to wear a dress that gives that impression. August always presents a sartorial challenge for me (and probably most fashion obsessed women). The practical side of me wants to wear a light summer dress because it is 85 degrees outside but the other side of me is craving cozy sweaters, wool skirts, and boots. So today I faced my dual personality head on and paired a light white dress with my new (totally awesome) ankle boots. I think I like it - what do you think?

I was also very excited to find this necklace this morning. It was hiding under a scarf that I never wear (but almost did today). I can't remember where and when (or even if) I bought it but it is awesome so I'm declaring it mine.

Dress and cardigan: Old Navy
Boots: DV for Target (if you wear a size 7.5 buy them here, you will not be sorry)
Necklace: ?

Springtime at the Library

This skirt was named a "library" skirt, which seems to indicate that the folks at Urban Outfitters are hanging out at very different libraries than I ever did. Name notwithstanding, I like the simplicity of this skirt and the fact that it has a partially elastic waistband for weeks when my diet goes by the wayside (be sure to order a size up if you are tempted by it). I found this sweater on Amazon.com for $6 (90% off) a few weeks ago. The green is a little lighter/brighter than I typically wear but it works well with this skirt. It will also work well with the aqua pencil skirt that lives in my imaginary wardrobe.


Sweater: Jones NY
Skirt and Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Green Day

I love the color of this shirt although I have a hard time finding things to wear with it. This morning, I wanted to pair it with an aqua pencil skirt for some radical color blocking but it turns out I don't own an aqua pencil skirt. Instead I put on my trusty trouser jeans and then put on a turquoise necklace as a nod to my original plan.

Shirt: Chadwicks
Jeans: Old Navy
Shoes: Bass
Belt: Betsy Johnson



Necklaces: ? via ebay

Garfield, Star Wars Cookies and other bits of random

Like Garfield, I am always tired and grumpy on Monday mornings. But something about a rainy Monday morning really amps up the grumpy factor for me. The one upside of today is that I get to spend the afternoon at an off-site meeting hosted by a legal super-hero.

How was everyone's weekend? I spent mine freebasing chocolate cake and Star Wars cookies and cleaning my bathroom. I am just THAT fun.

Not fun is this outfit which is what happens when you spend your morning goofing off and then realize you are late to work and need to grab the first things you find in your closet.

Shirt: Sweet Pea via eBay
Pants: J. Crew Premium Bistro Pants (love)
Shoes: RJ Girl

Pretty Eggs

This is not at all the outfit I had in mind for today. But when I went to pull out the jeans I intended to wear, I saw this skirt and my inner five year old decided she wanted to play with color and this is the result. I am not sure if it works but the gentleman at the mental health facility across the street did take a break from his ranting to tell me I had pretty legs* which I'm taking as a win.


*okay, he might have said pretty eggs but I don't think he had the x-ray vision required to know that so I'm going with legs.


Sweater: Target
Tank: Hanes
Skirt: Betsy Johnson via Goodwill
Shoes: Calvin Klein


A late link up to Thursdays are for Thrifting over at Spunky Chateau.

Uncomfortably Comfortable

I have wanted red jeans for quite some time and was thrilled when I found these at the thrift store this week. However, I think they are better suited for weekends than workdays when I try to pretend I am a competent professional. Would you take legal advice from someone in red jeans? I'm not sure I would.

Potential work inappropriateness aside, these jeans are REALLY comfortable which will come in handy if I can convince my bff to let me buy her gelato and crepes for her birthday today.


Shirt: Gap via ebay
Cardigan: J. Crew
Jeans: Old Navy via Goodwill
Shoes: Camper

Just call me Alexis

Yesterday I had one of my best thrift store hauls in a long time. I got a lovely BRAND NEW Theory pantsuit for $12.50, red jeans (which I have wanted for ages), and some crazy dresses, including this vintage '80s number. I was so excited to wear it today that I didn't take the time to remove the shoulder pads - making me look like an escaped extra from Dynasty. Shoulder pads notwithstanding - I love this dress and can't wait to wear it this fall with tights and boots.

Dress: ? via Goodwill
Sandals: Target
Belt: ? via eBay


Wanna see some more modern thrifted finds - check out spunky's blog.

Where in the World is Matilda's Brain?

True story: Yesterday was a bit of a rough day and I spent some of it (maybe all of it) thinking about taking today off. I was so convinced that I was going to take today off that when I got dressed this morning I put on my day off/errand running uniform (cotton dress, cotton blazer or cardigan, and Chuck Taylors (a look I totally stole from Jessica Quirk)). I then promptly forgot my plan, got in my car and came to work.

I guess I'm lucky that I planned to run errands on my imaginary day off. Otherwise I'd be sitting here in my Barry Manilow "Who's Been Sleeping In My Bed" sleepshirt (this photo was all I could find on the internet and does not do justice to the awesomeness of this shirt (which is my most prized wardrobe item) (no I am not kidding)).

Blazer: Banana Republic via local consignment store
Dress: Old Navy
Sneakers: Converse

Brownie

You know how "they" are always saying that a white button down shirt is a wardrobe staple? For me it is a brown button down. I had one from H&M circa 2002 that I wore to death and was finally able to replace with this one. Also check out my "bracelet" (courtesy of the hospital where I had a small test this morning). I'm waiting for one of my co-workers to come in and cut off for me. Until then let's pretend it is a new trend.

Shirt: Old Navy via Goodwill
Jeans: Target via Goodwill
Shoes: Target
Belt: Old Navy or Gap (old)

Haphazard

I came very close to wearing this shirt with a pair of bright red cropped pants and a yellow sweater but was foiled by last night's dinner of French fries and beer (pants snug) and the realization I just didn't feel "bright" today.

So I kept the shirt, jettisoned the pants, threw on this awesome blazer and here is the result. Haphazard but respectable.

Shirt and Jeans: Old Navy
Blazer: J. Crew
Shoes: Target

Pretty

I've been having a rough couple of weeks and decided to splurge on this Tucker dress when it went on sale. It reminds me of a modern version ball gown that my Great Aunt Bertha once had which I foolishly gave away a million years ago (I understand you have no frame of reference for this but trust me the dress was amazing).

Dress: Tucker
Shoes: Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx

Halloween in August

No idea why I chose to dress like a pumpkin today but you should give me candy no matter what.


Shirt: F21
Pants: J. Crew
Shoes: Target
Necklace: Banana Republic



sort of close up of shoes:

Day to Night

Today I needed to dress for two different events - court during the day and an evening out with friends later on. So I found this black wrap dress in the back of my closet which works for evening and with my trusty white blazer I can go to court. I will fix my collar before I get to court. Probably.

Dress: Old Navy
Blazer: Theory via Goodwill
Shoes: Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx
Necklaces: eBay

Imposter

I think it is time for me to accept the fact that I just don't look good in chinos. Clearly my decision to style myself as a security guard was in error, but I think even if I was wearing something less dowdy, and less wrinkled, I'd be uncomfortable.

Blazer: Banana Republic via local consignment store
Tank: Old Navy
Pants: J. Crew
Necklace: Handmade by a friend
Shoes: Boden