Happy Halloween

Do you like my costume?  I call it - woman who owns too many black dresses and leopard print shoes.

Dress: Forever 21
Shoes: Target

Scenes from the Weekend

This weekend we went to mr. deathstar's cousin's wedding.  It was a sportsman's club and there were a lot of dead things on the walls.  Unfortunately, I hit the open bar before I thought to take photos so this is the best one I have of the cute dress that I found under my bed a few weeks ago.

Modern Matilda

Ever since I broke routine and went for a run on Monday, my whole sense of time has been thrown off.  I spent all of Wednesday convinced it was Friday and this morning I thought it was cute mod dress and boots day.  Oh wait it IS cute mod dress and boots day.    How is that for a plot twist.  

Dress: Old Navy
Cardigan: Lands End Canvas
Boots: White Mountain*


* I have always had an extreme prejudice against the White Mountain brand of shoes.    Although I had never owned a pair, I would randomly avoid even looking at them because I thought they were cheap and poorly designed.  However, when I saw these boots on sale I decided to overcome my prejudice and give them a shot.  I am SO GLAD that I did, the boots are comfortable and pretty decently constructed considering their low price point.  

Secrets the J. Crew Lady Didn't Share

When I purchased this dress the J. Crew Lady told me that the dress would look cute with a belt.  When I got home I patiently tried various belts and could not make it work - until today.  Turns out the secret is to grab the first belt you find, put it on and don't even look in the mirror.  Who knew? 

Dress: J. Crew

Boots: Dr. Martens

Belt: ? probably Old Navy

Boots and Stripes

Remember when Amazon made me buy this dress?  I didn't so it was a happy surprise when I found the dress in my closet this morning.    If you are wondering, today's Band-Aid is "Animal" from the Muppets.  

Dress: D.E.P.T. via Amazon

Blazer: J.C. Penny

Boots: Palladium

Not So Pretty In Pink

I have never liked the color pink.  The first time I got in trouble in school was in the third grade when John Allbright thought I took his rain coat.  At that time, there were only three rain coat colors - yellow, pink, and blue.  Trendsetter that I was - I was the only girl in the class with a blue raincoat.  Everyone just assumed I had taken John's raincoat until his was located in his cubby.  

It has been 30+ years since that fateful event and I still don't like pink.  But this skirt didn't come in blue so I took a chance on it.  I can't say I love it but I doubt John Allbright will accuse me of having taken it from him.

Sweater: J. Crew
Jacket: Gap
Skirt: Forever 21
Boots: Dr. Martens

Friday Masochism

Considering how much suffering I went through to put this outfit together, you'd think it would look better.  First there are the jeans, which are normally comfortable but which are pressing on my sore knees in the most painful manner.   Then there is this shirt which I have owned for years but never wear because every time I try, I look like a reject from a casting call to play Mary Ann Gilligan's Island.   I made myself wear it to justify keeping it (why?) since it was next up on the "not worn in a year and must be tossed" rack.  Last but not least is the necklace which you can't see but which has the most impossible clasp in the world.  There is no reason for me to keep it and struggle (I have literally dozens of other choices), but I do.  


Shirt and Jeans: Old Navy
Sweater: Forever 21
Boots: Timberland

Black and Cat

I really like this outfit although it seems to make me appear shorter than I am.  I suppose a higher heeled boot is order next time I wear this combination.  Or maybe I'll finally have that growth spurt I've been wanting since I was 12 years old.  

Sweater and Skirt: J. Crew
Scarf:  Came with This vintage dress
Boots: Palladium

Fashion forward? Old Fashioned?

I purchased this shirt at a discount designer store in my town.   A lot of what they sell seems geared towards older women (tweed suits for ladies who lunch) but they also occasionally bring in some fun trendy pieces.  And then there is this shirt.  Fashion forward?  Old Fashioned?  I am not sure but I like it anyway.  

Shirt: ? 
Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Franco Sarto

Black and Jade

When I got into work this morning I had a bunch of emails from myself, sent around 1am.  I don't remember sending them but I'm glad I did as they reminded me of some deadlines I have to meet.  My conclusion - I do my best work when I am asleep.

Shirt: Old Navy
Skirt: J. Crew
Sweater: ? via Marshalls
Shoes: Payless

Monkey Monday

One surefire way to make a draggy Monday morning bearable - put on a monkey face Band-Aid.  Another way, coffee.  Lots and lots of coffee.  Possibly with a side of Halloween candy.  I also suggest an adjustable wrap dress to offset any coffee/candy related expansion.


Dress: DvF
Shoes: Urban Outfitters

Ahoy Friday

The great thing about these Band-Aids?  I didn't have to photoshop out my knee wrinkles.  Plus, you know, Pirates.  Happy Friday everyone.

Sweater: J. Crew
Skirt: St. John via Goodwill
Shoes:  Dr. Martens

Black and White and Batman All Over

If there has been any upside to skinning my knees, it might be the chance to wear all my fun Band-Aids.  Today I used the last two Batman Band-Aids to distract from the fact that this dress may not be as flattering as I first thought.  

Dress: J. Crew 
Shoes: Franco Sarto

Not Pictured: Ice Pack

If you want to know exactly what I am wearing - you need to imagine a bag of ice on my left shoulder (another casualty of yesterday's fall).

Dress:  Nine West
Boots: Palladium 

Skinned Knees? Must Be Tuesday.

I am not exactly sure what happened this morning but I was running, felt dizzy, and the next thing I knew I was lying on the ground in a pile of dirt and broken asphalt.  I'm fine but my career as a leg model is probably over.  

Dress: J. Crew
Belt: Banana Republic
Boots: Palladium 

It Happened to Me

Have you ever started getting dressed in an outfit that you are certain will look good, only to find that it doesn't?  Well friends, it happened to me*.  Today.  At least 5 times.  After that I gave up and came into work as my boss isn't really all that sympathetic when I am late due to wardrobe problems. 

Tank: ?
Sweater and Jeans: Old Navy
Boots: Rocket Dog

* Sassy  anyone?  

Cagney and Lacey

In honor of my lace jacket, and to distract from the fact that this outfit is a near replica of what I wore here, I was was going to make a bunch of random Cagney and Lacey references in this post.  But I ran short of time so you will just have to make them yourselves.  

Jacket: ? via Marshalls
Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Tahari

50/50

A while back the Daily Show did an interview with a purported science teacher who posited that  the odds of the world ending due to some test that was being run were 50/50.  It will either happen or it won't. 50/50.  There is also a 50/50 chance that this outfit is super cute and stylistically brave and not an odd mishmash of whatever was handy this morning.  It is or it isn't.  50/50.  There is also a 50/50 chance that this is not a ridiculous pose.  Actually, I think the odds are 100 on that one.


Dress: Target
Blazer: Calvin Klein
Shoes: Missoni for Target

The Unintended Benefit of Hoarding

I used to have hard time giving away those impulse items that were purchased on sale and never worn.  I remember bringing this skirt home and trying it on dozens of time only to conclude that it was unflattering.  However, I was apparently unwilling to give up on my $7 clearance sale investment - so I kept it.   This weekend I was bombarded by sales and shopping temptations so I went looking for "new" items in my closet and found the skirt (which is either less unflattering or I am less critical).  So, my hording paid off by keeping me from buying more.   Maybe I shouldn't be so ruthless next time I clean my closet.


Sweater: J. Crew
Skirt: Gap
Boots: Miz Mooz

Can't Blame the Duck

The last time I wore this dress, I blamed the chest bunching on the duck shaped ice pack in my bra.  It would seem, however, that I was too quick to blame the duck since the dress is still bunching oddly and there is nothing extra stuffed in my bra. 

Dress: Chadwicks
Boots: Dr. Martens
Cuff: Hayden Harnett Ramone