Not Bad for 6AM

I had two big cases in court today which necessitated me coming in a 6am this morning.  Getting dressed in the dark can often yield unpredictable results but I think I did okay today.  Or at least no one has had the courage to tell me otherwise.  Which is win enough for me.

Suit: United Colors of Benetton via Goodwill
Shirt: Ellen Tracy via TJ Maxx
Shoes: Tahari 

Post Election Comfort

First, I am happy to report that I found the dress I had misplaced yesterday.  Second, if you spend your election night eating cupcakes and drinking wine - I highly recommend wearing an over-sized tunic and pants with an elastic waist the next day.  

Tunic: ? via TJ Maxx
Pants: JC Penny
Shoes: Franco Sarto 
Belly:  Crumbs Pumpkin and Red Velvet Cupcakes

Growing On Me

This outfit felt so random when I threw it together but it is starting to grow on me.  Although I will be spending my lunch hour looking for a better (more matte, more black) tights.  Recommendations are welcomed!

Dress: Zara
Sweater: ? via TJ Maxx
Boots: Urban Outfitters

Make Your Own Coffee

I suspect I would be a very bad secretary.  But I do loves me a secretary skirt.  Especially a "vintage"* one like this baby from the Goodwill.  The only downside is that I will not be able to eat anything today so that I can keep breathing.  Considering I spent the last few days consuming nothing but birthday cake, fried food, and beer - this may be for the best.

Blouse: ? via TJ Maxx
Skirt: ? via Goodwill
Shoes: Max Studio 
Cuff: Hayden Harnett Ramone

* Considering I was probably in high school when this was made I hesitate to consider it vintage but I think technically most people would say it is.

Lace

I have been obsessed with lace dresses lately.  However most of my favorites are way out of my budget and extremely impractical for my lifestyle.  So I was quite pleased when I found this lace jacket in my closet this morning.  Paired with a pencil skirt and tank, it is pretty and suitable for work.  


Lace jacket: ? via Marshalls
Tank: Old Navy
Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Max Studio via TJ Maxx
Cuff: J. Crew

RAOK

Although we have never met in person, my friend M clearly knows me very well.  I was lucky enough to be the recipient of her amazing "Random Act of Kindness" this weekend and got a box full of amazing presents - including this necklace.  


Shirt: Gap
Skirt: Banana Republic
Sweater: ? via TJ Maxx
Shoes: Kork Ease

Gateway Bag

You may not believe this but there was a time that I only owned one or two handbags at a time and never spent more than $50 on a bag.  Then one day I was browsing through Amazon.com and I saw this $500 bag marked down to $100.  I decided to splurge and the next thing you know I have 50 + handbags and I start a blog to track my attempts to reform my habits.  


Dress: Target
Sweater: Target via Goodwill
Belt and necklace: ?
Shoes: Jessica Simpson via TJ Maxx
Bag: Treesje 

Cold Comfort

I was really tired this morning so I dressed for comfort.  To make the fact that I am wearing a t-shirt and fancy sweatpants slightly less noticeable,  I threw on a jersey blazer.  Which was wise because I am freezing.  This weather is so annoying!  


T-Shirt: Gap
Pants: Soma 
Blazer: Calvin Klein via TJ Maxx
Shoes: Target

Blazer + Dress = BFFs

This blazer and dress saw a lot of action individually last year (example 1, example 2) but they were never paired together until today.  Now I don't know if I'll be able to separate them.


Dress:  Target
Blazer:  Calvin Klein  via TJ Maxx
Shoes: Payless
Bag: Hayden Harnett - "Sonia" 

Confession

This outfit was inspired by watching Hart of Dixie this morning.  I know I am 20 years older than the show's demographic, but I can't help myself.  Try not to judge me too much.


Dress: Vintage via Etsy
Shoes: Max Studio via TJ Maxx

Too Much?

I found this dress in the back of my closet this weekend.  I bought it for $7 at Target ages ago but it didn't fit properly.  It is still a bit too snug (I hope the 5 minutes I spent trying to get into it this morning doesn't count as forbidden exercise) but I decided to wear it anyway.  I had planned to wear a plain black blazer with it but at the last minute switched it to this one.  Not sure if it is too much black and white - what say you?

Dress: Target
Blazer: Old Navy
Shoes: Tahari via TJ Maxx
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAB

Juror Number 0

I was supposed to have jury duty today, but at the last minute I found out I did not have to appear. I was really excited* until I realized that it meant that I had to go to work instead.  


Pants: Gap
Blouse: ? via TJ Maxx
Cuff: Treesje
Sweater: Old Navy
Shoes: Kork Ease
Bag: Cole Haan




*Serving on a jury is actually interesting, but waiting to be chosen (or in my case rejected) for a jury is not interesting at all. 

Saved by the Bag

This weekend I spent a considerable amount of time listing a bunch of handbags for sale. As I was going through my piles of conspicuous consumption I found this lovely bag THAT I DON'T REMEMBER buying. Looking through my blog archives it appears I've owned the bag since June 2010 which would also seem to be the last time I carried it.

As I was taking photos this morning I could not seem to take one that did not make me look chubby and awkward. Just as I was about to give up, I thought I'd take one with the bag. Lo and behold, the bag's awesomeness made the whole outfit look better. Now I just need an excuse to carry it around the office all day.

Bag: Hayden Harnett Trophy Satchel in yam shine

Sweater, Skirt, Necklace: J. Crew

Shirt: Francesca's

Shoes: Max Studio via TJ Maxx

Bracelet: gift from mr. deathstar

Red, Blue, and Spring

To welcome the lovely weather that is expected today, I put on this cheery shirt. I hope Spring likes it enough to stick around for a while. Of course, just because it is warm outside does not mean that I am not cold, so I threw on my Marc by Marc Jacobs super bargain jacket until I warm up.

Shirt: H&M

Jacket: Marc by Marc Jacobs via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Levis

Shoes: Dr. Martens

Leopard Power

I've been having a bad body image week - which I rectified today by digging out this leopard print pencil skirt and putting on some heels.

Skirt: J. Crew

Sweater: Gap Factory

Tank: Old Navy

Necklace: gift from bff

Shoes: Max Studio via TJ Maxx

Monday Rush

I skipped my morning run today, which should have given me more time than usual to get ready this morning. But instead of using the time to construct a cute outfit, I ended up gathering supplies for another decluttering project* and threw on the first things I found.

I do want to give a shout out to my internet friend T for giving me this lovely necklace (among other goodies). She has awesome taste and I was really excited to get this.

Tank: ?

Shirt: ? via TJ Maxx

Jeans: Old Navy

Boots: Ugg

Necklace: gift

* I've been lazy about whittling down my purse collection but will be listing lots more in the next few weeks. If you have any interest - check out my booth here.

Technical Problems

In my continual battle against clutter, I ended up deleting the album with all my blog photos!  I'm in the process of trying to recover and repost what I can but it will take some time. I blame the stress of this turn of events for why I thought pairing purple tights and a red skirt would work.

Blouse: ? via Piperlime
Skirt: United Colors of Benetton via eBay
Tights: Anne Klein via TJ Maxx
Shoes: Franco Sarto via TJ Maxx

Absence Makes For Creativity

It is hard to imagine but I currently do not own any simple black pumps. I purchased a pair a few months ago but they are too large and I have given up trying to make them work. The absence of a black pump led me to pair these leopard pumps with a striped sweater and I like the result. I don't like the fact that these pants have gotten way too snug but I believe that has more to do with this week's M&M and French Fry diet and not any shoe deficiency.

Sweater: ? via TJ Maxx

Tank: Madewell

Pants: J. Crew

Shoes: Very Volatile

Give Me Strength

I wanted this post to be about why Parker Stevenson made a better TV boyfriend than Shaun Cassidy but I have to go to court and get raked over the coals. So I'll leave you all to ponder the subject on your own.

Suit: United Colors of Benetton via Goodwill

Shirt: Banana Republic via Goodwill

Shoes: Tahari via TJ Maxx

Lucky Necklace: my mom's

Four Rights Make a Wrong

Individually I like each component of this outfit. The plaid shirt, although not my normal style, is cute. The sweater (a gift from mr. deathstar) is warm and I love the deep v-neck. The skirt is a fantastic color and shape. The sweater tights are comfortable and I love that they are grey not black. All together the result is ... not right. Can't quite figure out what the problem is but something is off.

Shirt: Madewell

Sweater: J. Crew

Skirt: Boden

Tights: ? via TJ Maxx clearance

Shoes: Bivel