Skirts May Appear Pinker Then They Are

I was so excited to show this outfit today until I discovered that the skirt turned pink in all the photos.   In reality it is a lovely tomato red (seen here back when I apparently had better lighting and a rug in my dining room).  Not that there is anything wrong with pink, but really tomato red is better.  

Jacket: Talbots (via Ebay)
Sweater: J. Crew
Necklace: Banana Republic
Skirt: United Colors of Benetton (via Ebay)
Boots:  ?

Blue and Black Monday

I am not sure what is more distracting in this photo - my cat photo bombing the shot or my shirt which makes my boobs look huge.

Shirt: Sweet Pea
Skirt: Banana Republic
Shoes: Rockport 

How Do You Identify Yourself

I am going to court to meet some new clients.  Because we have not met we all tried to give some description of ourselves. Attorney A described himself as having grey hair and glasses.  Attorney B described himself as having a shiny bald head.  

I didn't know what to say.  My first instinct was physical characteristics but as I am of average height and build, that seemed unhelpful and open to a lot of interpretation.  I considered hair color but I'm wasn't sure that these men would readily identify "messy dark hair, sprinkled with grey, in haphazard chignon".  I toyed some really obscure things such as - look for the woman with scars on her knees and marks on her calves from her running socks - or - imagine Celine Dion* if she gained 40 pounds and was half Indian.    In the end I resorted to clothing.  Although black suits are pretty much the uniform for many attorneys - I have a bright green coat that should make me stand out in a crowd.  

So how do you identify yourself to others?  

Dress and Blazer:  Banana Republic
Shoes: Jessica Simpson.  



* A long time ago a strange woman in accosted me in a bathroom and told me I looked exactly like Celine Dion.  When I told the story to my staff, expecting them to confirm that there was no resemblance, they all started to agree with the strange woman.  Needless to say, I did not give them bonuses that year.  

I Miss My Sweatpants Already

Nothing like  few days off to make you forget how to get dressed properly.  I spent the weekend in my the only pants I can fit into right now sweatpants and it was lovely.  Finding something else to wear this morning was way harder than it should be.  Maybe I should start working from home.  Or petition the Courts to allow a more flexible dress code.  

Dress: Banana Republic
Blazer: H&M
Shoes: Rockport 

Wrinkled Jeans Friday

I have been battling insomnia all week and developed a routine whereby I wake up at 1am, watch Murder She Wrote, do some on-line holiday shopping, play on-line Scramble, and fall back asleep at 3 a.m. and then wake up at 5:30 am to go running.  The result is that I'm half way done with my holiday shopping and I've logged at lot of miles, but other domestic chores (such as ironing) have fallen by the wayside to my sleep deprived brain.  

Tank: Hanes
Shirt, Blazer, Boots: Target
Jeans: Old Navy
Necklace: Banana Republic

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

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 

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

Lunch Date

I am having lunch today with three of my favorite women in the world; my aunt, my cousin, and my "niece" (technically my first cousin once removed if you are working on my biography).  The only things keeping today from being perfect are: my need to be at work before and after lunch and the fact that this dress is going to be VERY tight once I get done eating a few pounds of cheesecake.

Dress: Banana Republic
Shoes: Payless
Sweater: Old Navy

Inspiration

It is very rare that I take my styling cues from stores or catalogs.  But when I saw how Banana Republic styled this skirt I had to try to recreate it.    My only complaint is that the blazer hides the cute side zipper.  

Skirt: Banana Republic
Shirt: Target
Blazer H&M
Shoes: Dr. Martens
Bracelet: J. Crew

Time Management

This morning I ran 5 miles, went to the post office, and bought half a dozen cupcakes. All before 8:30am.   

My time management was greatly improved by this dress.  One step dressing at its finest.  I don't know why corporations spend millions of dollars on time management seminars for employees.  They should just buy them all simple dresses to wear.  

Dress:  Banana Republic
Shoes: Nine West
Bag: Rebecca Minkoff MAB Luxe

Too Late

I realized too late this morning that I have an olive colored blazer that would have been a better choice than this predictable one. At least with the navy if you squint you can pretend I'm wearing a suit.  


Blazer:  Banana Republic via consignment store
Top and jeans: Old Navy
Necklace: J. Crew
Shoes: Kork Ease

disappointment

This dress remains a bit of a disappointment.  When I purchased it I was positive it was going to solve all of my wardrobe problems.  After all many of wardrobe successes involve wrap dresses or stripes.  So a combination of the two seemed like a no-brainer.  And yet something remains "off".  


Dress: Banana Republic
Shoes: Max Studio
Cuff: Trina Turk

Blue Tuesday

I was going to make some blue puns in this post (hence my holding of the "Bluebook") but I lost steam pretty much as soon as I took the photo.  Maybe tomorrow.  


Shirt and Skirt: J. Crew
Blazer: Banana Republic via consignment store
Shoes: Payless

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

Hippy Chick

After weeks of wearing mostly dresses and skirts I wanted to change things up today.  Although jeans are hardly a sartorial break through, this outfit is a little different than my usual style.  I am even wearing earrings for a change!

Tunic: Roberta Roller Rabbit  
Jeans: Levis
Shoes: Aerosoles
Earrings: Banana Republic (I think, I've had them forever)

Black and Blue

Today's outfit is pretty boring and wrinkled.  It must be Tuesday.


Suit: Banana Republic
Shirt: Sweet Pea
Shoes: Kork Ease

Casual

Ever since Jessica Quirk introduced me to the notion of pairing Chuck Taylors with a t-shirt dress, it has become my weekend uniform. Although it is not the weekend and I am at work, in deference to the heat I decided to let my Saturday dress out on a Friday.  


Dress: Target
Sneakers: Converse
Blazer: Banana Republic via local consignment store

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

My co-worker told me I looked amazing in this dress.  Which is especially flattering because I feel awful.  I don't know if it because I tried running this morning in 80 degree heat (BAD idea) or if it is because I haven't slept in a week or because I have a stressful trial coming up - but whatever the cause my insides do not match my outsides today.


Dress: Old Navy
Shoes: Kork Ease
Earrings: Banana Republic

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