Same Same

 I had the idea that by pairing this admittedly only quasi-work appropriate dress with a cardigan of the same color, it would be totally acceptable to then pair it with green tights!  My logic is sound, right?  But in any event, I really liked how this outfit turned out.  It has a lot going on, but hopefully I don't look like I got dressed in the dark.

Dress: Rodarte for Target, $35  Cardigan: The Gap, $30  Belt: Vintage, borrowed from my marm  Tights and Shoes: Anthro, $8 and $60 respectively.

Sailboats and Sitting at the Computer

Sweater - Forever 21 ($10), Vest: Urban Outfitters ($20)

 Today is a work at the computer day - for work and for thesis.... I will squeeze in some walking but I wish I could sail away with these sailboats!

Belt: Ann Taylor via Boomerangs ($5), Necklaces: Gifts ($0)

Pants: The Gap ($10), Shoes: Urban Outfitters ($35)

Hello!

Watch: Casio, gift ($0), Bracelets: Gifts ($0)

NYT + Houndstooth = Me

Two weeks ago I was talking to my mother about how I wondered whether my pink and purple houndstooth coat from Boden had been a mistake to buy.  Not because I don't love the coat, but because I don't wear it all that much.  Then last week the New York Times street style pictures theme was houndstooth and I decided to submit my coat and see if my coat and I could be the best of street style for a week.  And we were! (We being my coat and I).

Here's the link to my slide in the slide show.  I am super proud to have been selected!

I decided to go with an outfit that I wore to a friends wedding in November.  The pictures of the original outfit were really rushed so I decided to retake them since getting into the slide show was my goal and I had no idea how competitive it was (I still don't).  When I showed my dad the picture he goes "they cut off your head," at which point I explained that I cut off my own head because of my tripod placement.  I am grateful that the NYT didn't hold it against me!  The thing I noticed most about my outfit amidst the other awesome examples of houndstooth is that mine is the brightest actual houndstooth.  Lots of people had really cool garments, but they tended to be in the black/white/gray family accented with colors in other parts of the outfit.  I am glad that my pink and purple was there to represent!

This week the submission is for socks!  Click here for details and break out your best socks!  I have faith that if I can make it into the pages of the NYT (albeit virtually) so can you!

Oh, and in case you care, the dress and coat are Boden and the shoes are my faithful Seychelles.

Muted

Today I ended up in all muted colors.  But I really like how the dark wine of the top and the teal of the tights looked together.  I also really like how the tights looked with the shoes.  The shoes were complimented before I even got to work in the morning.  I would be lying if I didn't say I love when strangers notice my shoes!  Its means they are doing a good job.  However, these shoes may be pretty but after a looooong day at the office my toes were killing me!

Skirt: Boden, $40 Sweater: The Gap, $20  Tights: Spain years ago  Shoes: BR, gifted

Monday Pattern

Shoes! The Good Will, gift ($0), Pants: the Gap

The Pants: the Gap ($25), Top, Flora; (Gift, $0),

Jacket: The Good Will (Gift - $0), Necklace and Watch: Gifts

Laid Back Shorts

 Casual dinner with friends?  I went for full on comfort with my new winter shorts, tights and basic black.  Dinner was delicious and slightly loopy, I was super glad that I didn't have to worry about sitting properly in a skirt!

Shorts: Anthro, $30  Tights: Anne Klein, gifted  Shoes: Anthro, $60  Long Sleeved Shirt: Old Navy, $3  Tank: The Gap, $7

Getting Vintage with my Blackberry

 Yesterday I had a long day at work followed by a fun night out with my bestie Stormy Normy.  So it was a trip to the bathroom at work with my blackberry in order to take pictures of my outfit.  I played with the vintage feel of these pants by tucking in a basic t-shirt to show off the high waist nature of these pants and a funky beaded belt.  I also added on a green cardigan and a long necklace to give this outfit a more interesting look.

These are the details of my outfit!  The funny thing about his necklace is it jingles when you walk.  No sneaking up on anybody for me!

Jeans: the Gap, $30  Shirt: The Gap, handed down from my marm  Belt: Jeremy's, $9  Cardigan: August Silk, gifted  Shoes: LL Bean, $35  Necklace: Urban Indigo, borrowed from my marm

Saturday Lunching and Hanging out!

Outfits! Floral Top: Gift ($0), Vest: H&M (410)

Mike and I!, Necklace: AMNH Gift shop: $2.99, Watch, Gift (casio, $0)

Pants! The Gap: ($25), jeans - Target ($20)

Shoes! The Good Will ($12)

Friday Work Wear

Shirt: From The Cure Thrift Store ($5), necklace: Buffalo Exchange ($12), Watch, Gift - Casio ($0)

 All Taken At WORK!!!

Skirt: Old Navy ($9), Belt: Urban O ($5)

Shoes: Payless ($30)

Crocheted

Today I decided to try to mix my natural HB style with my HB office style.  I love this orange shirt for its crocheted details that give it a vintage feel.  The top itself is quite voluminous and I am always trying to figure out what to do with all that volume.  Today the solution was to tuck it into a skirt!  I really liked the look, but this top is actually quite low cut when you take into account the crocheted part, so I was actually showing more decolletage at the office then I usually would.  I hope nobody noticed!

Sadly I didn't take a picture of my coat today.  I say this because if I had, I would have hit basically all of the HB staple stores: BR, The Gap, Maribel and Anthro.  Sorry J. Crew, you just haven't reached that level yet!

Shirt: BR via Maribel, $11 Cardigan: Boden, $23  Skirt: The Gap when I was 16  Tights: BR, $5 on sale  Shoes: Stuart Weitzman, gifted from my coolest A

A WAY back photo!

This was from a few days ago ... I actually cannot remember when, I may have slight fashion amnesia!

Anyhoo this is my lace hoodie (brown) with my cheapie Gap long top, Grey Urban Outfitters pants, and my brown books. 

I am wearing my always handy Casio watch and a funky gifted gold necklace!

Thursday Work, Work, Work!

It is work time yet again, thesis, internship, errands, and then a little relaxing!!

Skirt: H&M ($15)

Top: Brooks Brothers ($8)

Necklace: Gift, ($0), Watch, Casio: Gift ($0)

Tights: H&M ($10)

Shoes: Urban O ($30)

Slouchy

I love these slouchy cropped pants from the Gap.  My legs were killing me today from two days of Bar Method, so they seemed like an easy and fun thing to pair with flats.  I must admit I struggle to figure out what to pair with these pants!  Because of their slouchy-ness the top can't be voluminous or untucked.  Its been a good challenge for me to figure out what to pair with these fun and funky pants!

Pants: The Gap, $35  Belt: Borrowed from my marm  Shoes: L.L. Bean, $35  Shirt: J. Crew, $10  Sweater: Maribel, gifted

Fitting?

 Today instead of just showing off my office wear to you the lovely readers (all 3 of you), I have a serious question to put to you about how clothing should fit and what to do when it doesn't fit right?

I loved this skirt from the moment I saw it in Boden.  I patiently waited for it to go on sale, and when it was down around $35 I went for it with plans to wear it all year round depending on what I chose to pair it with!  Today I broke it out for the first time to wear in the winter and had a sad realization: it's too big!  Because I waited for it to be on sale, I had to buy a size 10 which is a size larger then I usually wear (at least at Boden).  But being someone who fluctuates between an 8 and a 10 I figured it was probably worth it!  The skirt has always been a little spacious on me, but now its downright too big.  And its not big in a way that makes me look small, but rather in a way that makes me look sloppy because my clothes don't fit properly.  Although this reflects well on my waistline (score one for HB), it brings up a sartorial dilemma: What do I do about my skirt?  Do I just wait with the acknowledgement that I may put back on the pounds?  Do I have it altered because I love this skirt and want to wear it?  Do I pass it on to one of my friends who is larger then me and could love this skirt the way it is meant to be loved?  I know, I know, these questions seem like I am whining about getting thinner, which is admittedly a good thing.  But I think its easier when you put on weight to keep your clothing that you think is now too tight because you rationalize the ill fitting clothing as a motivator to take off the pounds you have put on.  But when the tables are turned, what do you do?

Tons of space at the waist.

This skirt is a far cry from a pencil skirt with excess fabric everywhere.

Tuesday 5 mth Anniversary and Talde Dinner

Today is a BIG day! Lizzy's birthday was yesterday and my 5 mth anniversary with the most handsome and stylish man is also today!! WOAH for a big day!

So a big day needs BIG clothes, I hope I accomplished that!

Top: Cacheral via Uniqlo ($20), Blazer: Urban Outfitters ($20), Necklace: Buffalo Exchange ($12), Pin: Gift ($0)

Red Pants: H&M ($25), Shoes: Urban O ($35), Watch: Gift via BF (Casio, $0)