Christmas is a comin’

Blazer: Michael Kors.  Silk top: Cache.  Shoes: Steve Madden LUXE.

I’m embracing 1/2 business, 1/2 casual today.  Even though our work dress code has relaxed of late, the overall atmosphere is still pretty conservative, so I figure the 50/50 split should work well.

Christmas is on its way and I’ll soon be baking cookies, singing holiday songs, and wrapping more presents!  I just have to get through the work week - and Santa here I come!

I’ve done quite a bit of shopping already, but still have a few more items to go.  I heard a really cute idea today that suggested girlfriends swap Christmas ornaments with each other vs. expensive gifts.  What a cute idea!

Belted Blue

Dress: Banana Republic.  Cardigan: Forever XXI.  Belt: Charming Charlie.  Shoes: Mossimo.

 

Back to color today!  I think I just get in more of a neutral mood come fall time, and have been wearing more grays, etc… of late – so the bright blue was definitely called for.

A super easy way to “spruce up” a normal dress?  Add a belt & a fun cardigan!  Not only are the changes quick and easy, but these simple changes are done with items that everyone has in their closets!

A little clarity

Have you ever done the flamingo?  Ya know, “this shoe or that shoe?” while holding up one foot in the mirror and then the other.  That’s what I was doing this work morning!  A bit fuzzy at first, but I made my decision and found a little clarity!

 

I paired this dress with other color accents such as pink in the past, but today, I just wanted to keep with the basics.  Next time I’d like to try red accents.

see my shoes?!?

A little twisted

Blue Knot Top: cable & gaunge.  Earring: Buckle.  Jeans: INC. 

Just a basic casual day, but I do love the special little twisty knot this top has.  Similar to a belt, this knot detailing cinches and accentuates a waistline. 

If you’re like me and you get irritated by a ton a jewelry pieces (sometimes they just get in the way!), I suggest finding clothing items with special detailing so that you still have a uniqueness to your look without having to add all the extras.

“The whole world, as we experience it visually, comes to us through the mystic realm of color.” ~Hans Hofmann

Heels: Jessica Simpson.  Necklace: Francesca’s. Dress: Faith Passion.

I wanted to mix this dress with a contrasting color, but didn’t want to overkill it since the dress itself was so bright and pattern filled.  I decided on blue and mixed in a bold necklace and studded blue heels.

Some other red / blue combos of mine over the years:

Meeting my high standards

Dress: Banana Republic.  Belt: Thrift.  Shoes: Steve Madden.

 

   

You may be surprised to find that even with my 130+ pairs of shoes, I only have a couple wedges.  I’ve been looking for some for a while, but I always seem to have 1 of 3 problems with them:

1. They don’t fit my foot right (usually they are too narrow)
2. They don’t have enough ankle support
3. They just feel too heavy on my foot (I’m used to skinny stilettos people!)

Anywhoo… I found these wedges and they actually meet all my cuteness and comfort criteria while not having any of the above issues!  Of course they were the most expensive wedges of the 6 I tried on…  :(  but I guess sometimes you just have to pay the price!

Happy Almost Weekend

Happy happy Friday!  I’m feeling the need to escape lately – and while I’m not really sure how to manage that in everyday life – I am glad it’s the weekend, and I do hope to find just a bit of escape in the next few days.

Tonight is Sex & the City!  Tomorrow, who knows..?

I was planning on really getting glam-ed up for girl’s night, but changed my mind last minute & decided to be more comfortable and just wear what I wore to work.  I think it was still fun enough for a girls’ dinner & movie night!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Top & Skirt: INC.  Necklace: Macy’s.  Shoes: Nine West.

Sweater Layering

The last few days I’ve been on a red “kick” and now it seems I’ve moved on to blue!  I unconsciously did a double take on layering with sweaters the last couple days as well.  Since the weather has been going back and forth between cool and warm, a sweater is the perfect option for that in-between weather – it’s simply a quick shrug of the shoulder to switch up the look!

 

blue top: nue.  shoes: jessica simpson.  sweater: chadwicks.  pants: kohls.  watch: guess.

 

 

 

 

  

jeans: express.  necklace: macy’s.  boots: madden girl.  sweater: jc penny’s.  blue top: ny & co.

Rainbow Bright

 

This outfit was a basic throw-something-on, I-don’t-really-care sort of outfit, except that it’s pretty bright… maybe even rainbow bright…

Who here remembers Rainbow Bright?  The cartoon character in the 80’s with all the brightly colored clothes?  Well, yes, I admit – I felt a little rainbow bright today, and I liked it.  If I only had a blond wig and a mini skirt - I would have been really rolling in rainbow style!

 

Left pic = original classic rainbow bright.  Right pic = modern version of made-over rainbow bright. 

My Favorite Things

 

 

Lavender / blue top: Forever XXI.   Jeans: JC Penny’s.  Earrings: Apricot Lane.  Ring: Forever XXI.  Shoes H&M.

Thank goodness I’m posting a picture from earlier this week when I was in a much happier normal mood…  I had a really really rough day today and am actually still a bit down in the dumps…

So - I’m going to do the “Sound of Music” remedy and will think of my favorite things to cheer me up.  Let’s see…

• dark molten lava chocolate cake
• a hot bubble bath
• puppies to wrestle and cuddle with
• soft breeze, warm sun and a welcoming white sandy beach
• smells of Christmas – pine, cinnamon, apple pie
• old sounds of Sinatra
• classic soothing sounds of Debussy, Mozart, Chopin, & Bach
• driving with no destination other than adventure
• colorful fragrant tulips, lilacs, and lavender
• food! from sinful fried chicken to decadent filet mignon
• dancing without care to Lady Gaga & Rihanna
• friends that have stuck through the good and bad times
• family – the true vow to love for better or for worse 
• looking in someone’s eyes and feeling that “spark”
• butterflies (in the stomach & in the air!)

I actually feel a little better…   :) 

What do you do to ease the stress of the day and make yourself feel better when down in the dumps?

Spring Flowers

 

Floral cardigan: Forever XXI.  Ruffle top: Mossimo.  Belt: NY & Co.  Pants: NY & Co.  Shoes: Jessica Simpson.

It’s spring!!!  Time for colors and flowers   :)

I think pink and floral could easily be over the top for work attire, but with the structure and fit of the tops and with the dark traditional business pants – it worked.

Spring is in the air

 

Top: cable & gauge.  Necklace: Macy’s.  Pants: NY & Co.  Red coral bracelet: Macy’s.  Shoes: Chadwicks.

Spring is in the air and I can’t wait for it to get here!  To embrace the new season spring mood - I’m keeping things bright with this criss-cross blue top and my new favorite bracelet. 

Unfortunately with spring come spring cleaning… I also have a few projects that I’ve been meaning to get to around the house, and now it is finally time to tackle them!  To be honest, I actually enjoy cleaning and doing projects around the house.  Now if I only didn’t have to work during the day…