Dead at work

I've taken about half the week off, because Hubby and I have to tag-team childcare this week. But most of the courts are closed this week, so work is deadly dull! I forgot to get a shot yesterday, but I tried out the new scarf my secretary made me for Christmas:



It twists around on itself, and has a lovely blend of colors:



I pulled out these earrings my M-I-L purged. Hearts are not my usual style, but I thought I would try them out. Hubby's beloved late uncle made them. He passed away when Hubby was a teenager, so I never met him but- they would look pretty funny on Hubby, so I will be sentimental for him.



I didn't notice until I got to the office that the earrings are a slightly peachy-pink, while the scarf is a purpley-pink. So they don't go together after all. Oh, well…

Off to the Mitten tomorrow to see the family!

Sweater: Liz and Co. via consignment shop
Jacket: VanHeusen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: via M-I-L
Scarf: gift from a friend

Merry Christmas, Happy Boxing Day, and Happy Kwanzaa

Hope I have everybody covered! Drove back from the in-laws' after a nice mellow holiday, and Stinky got to open his Santa presents after we picked him up from his mother's. My look for yesterday and today (when not in pajamas):



I broke out my bracelet my friend Lovely made as a gift a few years ago, out of real Swarovski crystals:



And coordinated with these pretty earrings (terrible photo) from my M-I-L's recent purge:



And I had the irrestible urge to wear the scarf my mom made for me last Christmas, even when the house got really hot from cooking:



Sweater: VanHeusen outlet
Jeans: Lane Bryant
Shoes (not shown): Crocs, because I'm a lazy bum
Scarf: gift from Mom
Bracelet: gift from Lovely
Earrings: gift from M-I-L

A Festivus Miracle

I finally got a present that goes with these difficult-to-coordinate-but-gorgeous earrings:



The photo doesn't adequately show the pretty purple, or the little bronze-y flecks of my gorgeous new pendant, but you can get an idea of the purple from the little beads:



We worked all day Friday (it was sloooooooow) then joined Squeaky, her Hubby, and her sister for a loveley homemade dinner. Her baby bump is really starting to show- she's just so danged cute! Hubby and I were pretty tired by the time we got home, so a less-than-enthusiastic blog shot was taken so I could go straight to bed:



We are off to the in-laws' mountaintop fortress for Christmas, so have yourself some Happy Holidaze!

Top: via Pip's in Corning, NY
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Trotters
Earrings: via Kalamazoo Institute of Art
Necklace: gift from my boss' secretary

The "official" start of Christmas

For me, it's when the first gifts are exchanged. Yep, I'm very "Secular American" as far as the winter holidays are concerned! Lemme see, yesterday was the first full day of Haunakkah, and was the winter solstice. Which I forgot to acknowledge because my energy was shot!

But I'm a bit more chipper today (although the bad lighting today makes me look jaundiced, and makes my blue pants look black)- I suppose that today was our office gift exchange didn't hurt:



One of my lovely prezzies worked well with today's outfit:



I'm going to have one bead removed, because the bracelet is a bit big on me (hence the claw-hand in the pic). The beads are really soft, which is an interesting texture.

And I am finally posting the earrings Freeda gave me last time I went to the Mitten, to cushion the blow when I finally surrender Squeaky's beauties back to her.

Mine, aaall mine:



Squeaky's (because I'm too honest to steal them):



Of course, I will be posting my other prezzies as I work them into the wardrobe!

Don't forget, tomorrow is Festivus! Hubby and I are celebrating at Squeaky's, but will probably leave out the "Airing of Grievances" and "Feats of Strength". She's still getting used to the Christmas hoopla- no need to confuse the girl!

Top: via Stein Mart
Jacket: VanHeusen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes (not shown): Ariat
Necklace: gift from my old roommate
Bracelet: gift from my secretary
Earrings: gift from Freeda

Will you hurry up and take the pic so I can lie down?

Not quite my first words to Hubby when I came in (he played hookey), but almost. The result:



I looked prettier IRL today, I swear! I'm wiped because I gave a final try to talking sense into a particularly difficult client before I finally gave up and argued my motion to be relieved from representing this jackhole. Mercifully, the judge granted it!

But at least I got to wear this gorgeous brooch that has recently made it's way to my collection, and you can see a little more detail on the boucle jacket:



I kept trying to get a nice photo of these earrings. And failed. They are not yellow, like in the pic. They are clear and lovely, really:



Low shoes because these pants are too short:



Top: VanHeusen outlet
Jacket: via consignment shop
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Nine West via garage sale
Jewelry: more goodies my M-I-L gave over

My giant scarf

It's huge, and I love wearing it dramatically draped:



Another goodie lately of my mother-in-law's collection:



Which I thought would go nicely with my all-purpose scarf/shawl:



And my go-to simple hoops to finish the look:



Sweater: via Freeda's purge pile
Jacket: VanHeusen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes (not shown): Ariat via Sole Solutions in Spokane, WA
Earrings: Lia Sophia
Necklace: via M-I-L's purge

Belated TGIF

I was too busy/pooped over the weekend to post, and Monday's outfit will be seen again. So here's Friday instead:



Guess the top is still a bit snug. Oh well, it was a pretty quiet day, so I wasn't seen much. I grabbbed the scarf to A: break up the giant expanse of beige boobies, and B: coordinate with these AMAZING earrings my mother-in-law got rid of in her purge:



This photo does not do them justice. I'm amazed she parted with them!

Top: VanHeusen outlet
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Bass
Scarf: New York & Company
Earrings: gift from M-I-L

Day-to-Evening

Went from Parole hearings to office day to retirement party for the DA. I think I pulled it off alright:



I'm really glad I layered, because the venue was really hot, and I could adapt more easily than many others at the party:



I'm seriously considering redoing a lot of the catches on my necklaces to something that would look nice if it showed, like on this beauty:



Since I really wanted to wear the black necklace from my mother-in-law's purge, my go-to black glass earrings seemed the best coordinating choice:



I went for comfy shoes, because I didn't know what to expect from the shindig, except that it would be well-attended:



Top: via JC Penney
Jacket: via Tallman's in Painted Post, NY
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Ariat via Sole Solutions in Spokane, WA
Earrings: Corning Museum of Glass, Corning, NY
Necklace (as bracelet): Sarah Coventry (maybe?) gift from M-I-L

The fatal flaw…

…in this outfit is that the pants are too short for these shoes, giving me "government-worker floodwater pants":



Other than that, I think it's pretty decent. Remind me of my new mantra: "only buy 'tall' pants, and get then taken up". Average length is always a little too short!

I think I've had the scarf about ten years, and only recently started wearing it:



I tried tying it differently because it was chilly out, the sweater is a v-neck, and I wanted coverage:



The earrings don't go with much, but when they do- perfect:



I just love these newer shoes, and look for any excuse to wear them:



Sweater: Apt 9 via Freeda's purge pile
Scarf: garage sale?
Jacket: via consignment shop
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Trotters
Earrings: made by Baby Sis

It's a weird, weird, world

Today is a sick day, so I thought I'd show a few of the random photos I take when something catches my eye.

Outside the library, a bikerack cosy:



And alternate parking for other patrons:

Can I just go back to bed?

I'm beat! Getting sick, will probably call in tomorrow. But I made an attempt to look better than I feel:



Note to self: don't button the jacket until it fits better around the hips!

It's getting cold here, so I went with wintery textures:



I didn't get terribly interesting with accessories, just grabbed these on my way out the door:



Couldn't handle "difficult" shoes today, so went with basic loafers:



Sweater: VanHeusen outlet
Jacket: Amanda Smith via consignment shop
Pants: Lane Bryant
Earrings: art show in Kalamazoo, MI
Shoes: Bass

Colorful Saturday

It's still unseasonably warm (loving it!), so I managed to get away with just a shell and a sweater to venture outdoors today:



Hmmmm… the colors didn't come across very well. Here's an older photo which shows them better:



I dropped off some of my M-I-L's donations to our Junior League fundraiser consignment shop. I still have a lot to get ironed, so I can take them in as well. Then I went to audition for a community theater play. I'm not sure I did well, I guess we shall see…

I get so much use out of this cheapo clearance necklace- money well-spent:



I really need a better shot of these earrings:



So, I guess this is the end of the "Neutrals Week" challenge. It was fun working within limits, and I tried a couple new things. A worthy exercise!

I didn't get this posted yesterday because I was busy with housework, then changed and went to a party. Forgot to get photos, though!

Sweater: Old Navy
Shell: via Goodwill
Necklace: Fashion Bug
Earrings: Lia Sophia

Neutrals Week: in the Navy!

Surprisingly, navy seems to have been my biggest "Neutrals Week" challenge. Unfortunately, the blouse is way too small to wear without the sweater to cover it up, and the only sweater I have that goes is a light blue one:



Why didn't Hubby tell me the sweater was bunched up before he took the pic!? *sigh* this outfit is prettier than the photo shows:



I had one court appearance, and no really good jacket for this outfit. So the effect was spoiled:



This jacket and these pants do not match- ugh! I ditched the jacket as soon as I was done in court this morning:



Oh how I love this pendant, but I think I prefer my dark red garnet bead necklace with this outfit. I picked this pendant because it's a purpley/navy color:



I feel more comfortable with these big shiny earrings since my hair went curly, and covers them somewhat:



I just thought the outfit needed something with more of a pop than navy shoes, though:



Sweater: via Macy's
Blouse: Liz Claiborne via consignment shop
Jacket: NYP Suits via consignment shop
Pants: Lane Bryant
Shoes: Trotters
Collar and earrings: Premier Designs
Pendant: artist in Kalamazoo, MI