Do-over!

I'm redoing this outfit for corrections. While I had a suggestion for a vest in the comments, I don't own any... just jackets!



The sweater isn't so clingy as the top I wore with this scarf last time:



I tied it a bit differently, like a big floppy bow, before pinning the brooch over it. I also safety-pinned the bow in place this time. No annoying shifting!

And I no longer get the creepy feeling she's staring at my chest....

My new abalone and hematite earring are such better quality than the ones in the initial post... I'm debating just chucking the old ones out altogether!



All in all, I think I did it better this time around... agree?

Sweater: one of the Liz Claiborne brands via consignment shop
Jacket: Talbot's Petite
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Bass
Scarf: gift from Mom
Brooch: gift from Mom
Earrings: Lia Sophia

Inaugurations

The first time I've worn this shirt to work:



I know I need new bras, but I'm waiting to shop until after I'm back from surgery. The obvious cup line BUGS me!

I forgot I had a court appearance today, so I had to get by with a sweater. I really wanted to show the neckline detail even with something over the shirt:



Better in person? I'm thinking I will try this again when my replacement Iman sweater arrives.

This is also my first time wearing these earrings:



They match a pendant I have, but I thought the necklace would fight the neckline detail for attention.

Shirt: VanHusen outlet
Sweater:
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Lia Sophia

State of the Onion

...was on last night. Hubby and I watched it in an empty pub- just us and the bartender. Hard to feel like we are in economic recovery sitting in an empty bar! But since much of the stock market, and economics in general, is somewhat mass psychological, I certainly understand the President conveying a message of hope.

Obviously, I forgot to post yesterday. I wanted to wear a necklace, and a scarf, too:



My imitation of Veshoevius from Taxonomy of My Wardrobe fame:



One of the secretaries played photographer, and she thought the headless shot would give a closer view of the scarf-as-sash. She's the one who got me these pretty Christmas prezzies:



And the matching earrings:



Sweater: Chico's
Jacket: Talbot's petite
Pants: Lane Bryant
Scarf: Chico's
Jewelry: gift from a friend

Chocolate cherry

Mmmm... I want candy... but I'm going to settle for wearing it:



It was 15F this morning, so I wore the red jacket rather than the beige because it's warmer.



The jacket does cover the french cuff 3/4 sleeves, my favorite thing about these shirts (I have 3):



Its really hard not to comfort overeat in this cold... I want a box of chocolate covered cherries! But I'm trying to see if I can get these pants to actually fall off.

Dangit! I thought I already had a closeup of the necklace in my photobucket, so I didn't take one today. Next time, I suppose....



Shirt: VanHusen outlet
Jacket: VanHusen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Jewelry: JC Penney

New jacket!

Just got it back from the tailor and the cleaners:



It goes well with my navy pants, and I just love this subtle plaid!



I wasn't sure it the scarf would be good over the turtleneck sweater, but I decided to chance it. And I know the colors don't quite match, but I thought it might pass. Verdicts?

I know I was going to tie scarves looser around my neck, but this outfit seemed to beg for a "cravat" style wearing....

Have I mentioned my tailor is a genius? She had a bit of work to do to make this consignment shop find wearable by yours truly. Dart and bust work to start:



It's also been shortened a little, and a chunk of fabric taken out of the back to accommodate the booty:



Jacket: Amanda Smith Suits via consignment shop
Sweater: VanHusen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Scarf: Limited

A sign of the Apocalypse

...I'm VOLUNTARILY wearing a dress! It was sitting in my closet, taunting me. Because I've owned it for several years, and this is my first time actually wearing it. I've considered cutting it to shirt-length, so I would get more wear out of it, but every woman needs a 3-season dark dress.


Those things below my legs... um... they're not boots:



That's what my legs actually look like. Hence, no dresses or skirts since August, when I had to wear some to a wedding. So with Baby Sis's credo "F the cankles" in mind... I actually left the house with lower legs exposed!



I started off the day with what were supposed to be opaque tights. Instead, I had issues with the color pooling around the mutant lumps and bumps, as seen above. A quick stop at Fashion Bug on my way back to the office from court, and I replaced the tights with leggings and knee socks (inspired by Freeda):



No more pooling, and my thighs aren't chafing anymore. Much better... this is why I wear pants! I do really like this print, though:



My attempt at a pseudo-obi look. I tied the wrap ties in place (with help from safety pins), the belt then put between two ties. Did I get the desired effect?

And I wore my fluffy ruffle tee underneath for warmth and texture:



Of course, no time for a blowdry:



But there's always time for earrings:



Top: VanHusen outlet
Dress: Alfani Woman from Macy's
Belt: DKNY via TJ Maxx
Tights: Curvation
Leggings and socks: Fashion Bug
Shoes: Ariat
Barette: Goody
Earrings: Lia Sophia

Peace, please!

Why is a short week generally a crazy one?



Not the most stunning outfit ever, but I have ulterior motives... what's wrong with this picture)



Note the button on the right... its not only a different size, but a different fabric. I didn't notice when I got it from the consignment shop. I was hoping to look for buttons today. Didn't work out, so I will leave it in the car for the time being. Oh well.



At least I'm wearing my cool 3/4 length french cuffs. And my pretty anniversary necklace... that makes a lot of things better! The shirt even folded around the neck, making sure my pretty shows:



Isn't it lovely?



Is it too terribly obvious that the jacket was once half of a suit? The fabric gives it away:



Finished off with plain gold hoops:



I gotta pick Hubby up from his Kenpo class... Peace Out!

Shirt: VanHusen outlet
Jacket: NYP Suits via consignment shop
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Lia Sophia
Necklace: anniversary gift from Hubby from random store in Ithaca, NY

Channeling my inner Carmen Miranda

In a less than perfect world:



It's just the hair flower making me feel a little bit flamenco... I just need a big ruffled skirt to swish around!



Instead, I had to cover the fabulousness for court:



A closer look at the partially-covered pretty:



I'm not sure about the dangling scarf under the jacket... arty or messy? The original intent was to wear it obi-style, but it was a bit short, and I didn't have time to figure it out. A challenge for another day, I suppose.

I did get a compliment from Hubby when I got home... and I was wearing my Christmas prezzie from him:



Sweater: Freeda's castoff
Jacket: VanHusen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Hair flower: Maurice's
Earrings: Premier Designs gift from Hubby
Scarf: Chico's

Gleaning

Freeda dared me to wear something "funky" today... I think she forgot that I didn't have to go in to the office today! A perk of a government job.



But that doesn't mean I just sat home in PJs all day (that was yesterday). Instead, I went back to the food bank to help sort donations. So I didn't get too crazy because I needed to be practical, but I did wear my pretty new scarf in a new (to me) way in the attempt.

I could not get a decent photo of it. This one does not do the colors justice:



EDITED TO ADD: I remembered that I forgot to mention that there is absolutely NO RED in the scarf. Baby steps...

It is appalling how much must be thrown out because the seals are damaged. Particularly canned goods. How does that happen so much? It's apparently common to have to toss about half of canned goods received.

It's particularly upsetting to me because I think of how many more people could have been helped. Earlier in my own life, I received food bank donations to see me through a rough patch. More than once. So this is an issue very close to my heart. Waste makes me angry.

So Hubby and Stinky better watch out! They are pretty good about minimizing wasted food... but I may be stressing it even more.

Then I reminded myself afterward, while shopping at Walmart... these are grocery store donations. A lot of these donation came from from Walmart. So if the packaging was perfectly intact, these items would have been put out for customers like me instead of donated for the hungry. Like I have been.

So I look at today's work like gleaning... taking the usable out of what would ordinarily go to waste. I feel better now!

Oh, yeah... closeup of my blingy earring to bring up the funk factor:

OK... maybe not. My photobucket app is suddenly acting weird. They've been posted before, anyway.

I wore the same outfit out with a couple girlfriends Saturday night. But I hadn't located the scarf yet, so no funk then.

Sweater: VanHusen outlet
Jeans: Lane Bryant
Earrings: Premier Designs
Scarf: gift from a friend

Friend Friday

Today's outfit is a frequent feature on this blog, but today it's with modifications:



That's riiight! The teal-ish jacket rather than my usual red. Thoughts?

I also followed comment advice, and tucked the necklace under the turtle this time, see?



Jacket: VanHusen outlet
Sweater: VanHusen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Jewelry: made by me with pendant gift from Mom
Shoes: my feet are trying to kill me, so let's pretend they don't exist. It's not like I get to wear cute shoes, anyway....

Friend Friday: Planning Outfits:

1. How do you determine what you will wear that day?

Pl...ann...ing? What is this "planning" you speak of? Oh, that thing my mom wanted me to do when I was a kid... almost forgot about that!

I *should* iron and set out all my clothes and accessories the night before, as Mom tried to instill. Instead, I abuse the snooze button, then fly around with my morning prep: full shower, full makeup, ironing, dressing and accessorizing... and only a blowdry if I have time, which, evidently... isn't very often.

2. Do you plan outfits out in advance for a whole week, month, weekend?

Hahahahahahahahahahaha! Only if I'm packing.

3. Do you have any specific way of tracking outfits and items already worn so you don't repeat?

The blog has really helped me keep better track, or at least be more mindful of repeats. I was wearing the same outfits over and over and over again... like variations of a uniform. Figure it out once, then repeat.

It was easier that way... but flipping boooring! I've been moving "already worn" tops to a different rack in my closet when I get them from the dryer (after wearing and washing, of course). Which is really helping me be more mindful to use more of what is already hanging in my closet.

4. How do you discover new combinations of items in your closet?

Mostly at the last second, like today. As much as I love red, I was getting bored with wearing the exact same outfit with the red jacket. Usually it takes "oh, no... not this again!" to spark inspiration.

Sometimes I will see something I haven't worn in ages, and want to make use of it since I own it... so I figure something out. With mixed results, I add.

5. To streamline the process for 2011 what is one new thing you can do to cut down your dressing time?

I've been working on organizing my closets for awhile, and making my jewelry more accessible. I documented some of the results in my blog, of course, and I think I've done a bang-up job, actually!

Lost in the jungle

I'm posting Wednesday's outfit... er... officially Friday morning. I've been lost in a forest of paperwork, phone jockeying, and hearings, and didn't have time to get Thursday photos. So I will need to repeat the outfit soon, because I have questions.

Wednesday... ta da!:



I've never worn this top to work because I wasn't sure if the snake pattern was too risque. I think it can pass... especially because the jacket tones it down.



I've also never worn these two necklaces, hooked together, long like this. I don't normally like long necklaces- they bug me- but this wasn't distracting. I thought it looked interesting under the jacket.

A closer look at the goods:



The fasterers are so subtle I don't mind them showing.

Between the snakeskin and the wood, I figured I would continue a nature theme and go with stone earrings to complete the look:



Top: Mercer Street Studio
Jacket: Talbot's Petite
Pants: Lane Bryant
Necklace: gift from a friend
Earrings: art show in Kalamazoo, MI

Yup, definitely exchanging this sweater

For a smaller size- but not before I run a little experiment:



I do like how well the neckline works with my pretty summer top, that I've been having a terrible time adapting to winter:



Wow, I've got enough luggage under these eyes for a cruise! Oh, well...

I wasn't sure if the necklace was too much, but I haven't worn it in a hundred years, so thought I'd try:



Too Goth-y for the colorful print? I even wore the *gasp* matching earrings:



I think this top and sweater combination has promise... now I just need the smaller size. It's on it's way- I just called HSN for the exchange today. Of course, it's on the way to Freeda's house. They can't just makes it simple. But I'm still excited to get my new one!

Top: Alfani from Macy's
Sweater: Iman gift from Freeda
Pants: why bother... they're ALL Lane Bryant
Jewelry: I forgot... had the set forever