Happy Memorial Day!

From: Me
To: You & Yours

"You've Got This!" Week

I racked my brain trying to come up with an idea for a theme week and after much consideration (and help from friends) I came up with "You've Got This!": Spring 2010 Trend Week. The title is too long I know but, it was hard to come up with a shorter version and still convey the message.

Here's a little background; I would consider myself to be a stylish person but, I can't afford to jump on the bandwagon for every single trend that graces the covers of glossies throughout the changing seasons. To be honest, sometimes I wouldn't want to but, there are some good ones this spring. After taking a good look at some of the on trend things this spring I realize what mom says is true, things always come back in style and I can wear clothes representative of "new trends" from my current wardrobe.

That is basically the theme of this coming week for anyone who wants to join me; form trendy outfits with things you already have in your closet. No buying anything new! I am honestly a little nervous that I am not going to be able to come through but, I am willing to give it a try. Also, I didn't realize this but, it's a short week so I should have a little more faith! If you are interested in joining me please leave a comment with your name and a link to your blog, I will compile a list of all participants for the first post on Tuesday. Also, please save the picture to use in your posts and link back to 260 Days, No Repeats,

Here are some Spring 2010 trends we should be inspired by:

1. Statement Necklace
2. Boyfriend Blazer
3. Belts
4. Florals
5. Ruffles
6. Trench Coat
7. Bangles
8. Gladiator Sandals
9. Hobo Bag
10. Cargo Pants
11. Military Inspired
12. Nude Shoes
13. Denim Skirt
14. Skinny Jeans
15. Wedges
16. Boyfriend Jeans
17. Turquoise Jewelry
18. Nautical Themes
19. One Shoulder Dresses/Tops
20. Fringed Handbags

May 28, 2010

I'm totally feeling that Friday theme! I am also pumped for a potential early dismissal for the holiday weekend. I have a few things to take care of before I hit the BBQs and beaches so it would be great to get to have a little extra time to work on those. What are you doing for the holiday?

On another note, finalizations are being made for theme week and I'm looking forward to sharing it with you guys! I hope you participate.

• Top: dusty blue t-shirt with peacock feather, Bitten via Steve & Barry's
• Bottom: Marisa jeans, Ann Taylor Loft
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cut-out flats, Merona for Target (similar here... FYI if you pick up the June 2010 edition of Real Simple there is a 20% off Merona coupon in there, or you could just rip it out at the checkout... either way); jade earrings, Elizabeth Showers Vintage; cream Loeffler Randall for Target purse (mostly because I didn't feel like swapping everything out)

Items from this outfit are previously seen here and here:

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May 27, 2010

This week (and day) has gone by so quickly; I almost didn't realize that tomorrow is Friday and this weekend is a holiday weekend! It's almost worth all the crazy running around... I love three day weekends when I don't have to give up vacation day. What are you doing for Memorial Day?

Also, more to come on the theme week later today or tomorrow morning. I am just ironing out the last little details AKA making a cool banner. I hope you will join me!

• Top: aqua dress, Max Studio via Nordstrom Rack with a tank top underneath for the modesty.
• Bottom:
• Shoes & Accessories: silver gladiator sandals, Isaac Mizrahi for Target (similar here); coin pearl/stone necklace and coin pearl earrings, borrowed from mom; cream Loeffler Randall for Target purse

May 26, 2010

Today is going to be ridonculously hot and I wish I could be at the beach! I'm sensing a summer trend in the works... On another note, I think I might have come up with an idea for a theme week that is completely in keeping with the spirit of 260 Days, No Repeats. More to come on this by the end of the week (hmmm I'd better get cracking) I hope you will join me!

• Top: yellow ruffle collar shirt, Ann Taylor Loft
• Bottom: khaki green skirt, Target
• Shoes & Accessories: silver gladiator sandals, Isaac Mizrahi for Target (similar here); tourmaline earrings, V'ta; brown leather bag with silver floral embellishments, GAP

Items from this outfit are seen here and here:

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May 25, 2010

Leaving work early yesterday was sooo nice! It makes me think that I probably need a real vacation. Getting away from work and home would be great even just for a long weekend to start but, I digress... I'll have to hit the ground running today with all the things I have on my plate: a seminar in midtown and lunch with my old boss down at South Street Seaport (lucky for me the weather is gorgeous) then back to the office to finish out the day. Maybe I'll "hit traffic" and won't make it back in time, muah haha! Just kidding... This outfit is comfy and cool (temperature wise, as well as, pretty snazzy) AKA perfect for running around in NYC on a hot day!

• Top: orange crochet neck blouse, Ann Taylor Loft
• Bottom: khaki a-line skirt, Merona for Target
• Shoes & Accessories: silver gladiator sandals, Isaac Mizrahi for Target (similar here); tiger's eye earrings, Citygirl Accessories; brown leather bag, Kooba

Items from this outfit are previously seen here:

May 24, 2010

Sorry for the not regularly scheduled post. I was running late this morning and even though I got out of work early I was not near a computer....

Getting out of work early is fun! I have been running around for the past few days (AKA last week) like a chicken without a head. It must have been pretty apparent because my boss (out of pity) told me to leave. YAY! Although it's not the nicest day outside I was glad to be home and even got to catch a movie with BF (who took the picture and is relentless in trying to make me laugh)! But, in the few hours that I was at work I still had to dress the business casual part...

• Top: red floral print blouse, Old Navy
• Bottom: beige Marissa pant, Ann Taylor Loft via mom/thrifted
• Shoes & Accessories: brown pumps, Steve Madden; gold and mixed metal earrings, gift from Natalia/ModCloth; brown leather bag; Kooba

Night Out: Birthday!

My friend Natalia (awesome earring gifter) is having a birthday party tonight. I am heading into the city to partake in the festivities at Verlaine. Although 260 Days, No Repeats is mainly meant to be about what I wear to work it's fun to show you a few of my after hour/special occasion looks.

• Top: gray ruffled v-neck tank top, New York and Company; black blazer (not pictured)
• Bottom: dark wash trouser jeans, Not Your Daughter's Jeans via Nordstrom Rack
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Steve Madden; gray swarovski crystal earrings, Pennyweights

May 21, 2010

This is the last day of floral week and the sun has finally been coaxed completely out of hiding! I am not sure how I'm going to pick out my outfits for work next week without some sort of theme. If I did a new theme week what would you like to see? I can make a cool banner and everyone can join in on the fun!

• Top: ivory t-shirt with beaded rosette detail, Merona for Target
• Bottom: dark denim capris, Macy's
• Shoes & Accessories: bronze sandals with genuine stone embellishments, bo'em via DSW; tiger's eye earrings, local jewelry store; gray Balenciaga Le-Dix/motorcycle bag

May 20, 2010

It is not gross and rainy!!! How appropriate as Floral Week continues. I couldn't be happier for the actual weather but, I'm a little bummed because I am feeling a bit under the weather. You win some, you lose some I guess.

• Top: light brown sweater, GAP outlet with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: pink embroidered skirt, Ann Taylor: second hand from mom who thrifted it
• Shoes & Accesories: silver gladiator sandals, Isaac Mizrahi for Target (similar here); silver beaded necklace, Bitten via Steve & Barry's; Tiffany & Co's silver bead earrings; gray Balenciaga Le-Dix/motorcycle bag

May 19, 2010

Floral Week continues with this snazzy new banner! Even though I am wearing some floral fantastic-ness the gloomy weather and my sleepy disposition from being out late last night with mom at Chop for Charity is making me want to go back to bed! Albeit, my mom had a blast (the important part) and we did get some great pictures (mostly of mom with famous people) plus autographed cookbooks...

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Meetings, presentation, and more "fun stuff" like that today! Plus a committee meeting after work... How long until the weekend, or maybe just some sun?

• Top: pink v-neck top with floral corsage embellishement, New York and Company with a tank top underneath for the modesty...
• Bottom: dark brown pants, New York and Company
• Shoes & Accessories: silver hard wear embellished flats, Preview via Nordstrom Rack; coin pearl earrings, altered by me via mom (it's amazing what some needle nose pliers will do for you... maybe that could be a Work With What You've Got post but, I digress), cream Loeffler Randall for Target purse

May 18, 2010

Blogging is so viral but, in a good way... Yesterday I was reading alltumbledown (a regular thing as you can see from my blog roll) and noticed that she is taking part in {have a cute day}'s floral week. Since I was thinking of wearing a floral print today anyway why not get involved in that as a tribute to spring? Hopefully this will coax the sun out of hiding and make the rain rain go away!

While this is a standard business casual day I have a fancy charity event to go to after work (with mom) so I have to seamlessly transition from day to evening with what I am wearing because I don't have time to go home and change. I think it's all in the shoes AKA I will bring flip flops to stick under my desk during the day since I would have been in whatever shoes for more than the standard 8 hours and these black pumps are comfy but, not that comfy. Also, the mini makeup bag just in case there are blemishes, dark circles, etc.

• Top: floral print t-shirt, Vera Wang for Kohl's a thank you gift from BF for successfully helping him create a business casual wardrobe
• Bottom: black pinstripe Calvin Klein suit skirt, via SYMS
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Candies via Kohl's; silver beaded necklace, Bitten via Steve & Barry's; Tiffany & Co's silver bead earrings; black Fendi spy bag

Items from this outfit are previously seen here:

Surprise!

BF sent me flowers at work today! I am so excited I just had to share... It is called the Fashionista Arrangement, how well does he know me?

May 17, 2010

This is a Monday when I could definitely have called out sick (as if there is any other kind) after the whirlwind weekend I have had but, I am being a responsible adult and going to work! Here are some shots from the wedding, BF steals the camera so there are always more pictures of me...

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Today is going to be a whirlwind day as well. My boss is in Bermuda (lucky) so I will be the point person on projects we were working on together also I also have interviews and the same old day to day stuff. 5 O'clock where are you?

• Top: blue ruffled blouse, Atelier via Loehmanns; tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: gray plaid pencil skirt, from mom via Kohl's
• Shoes & Accessories: nude patent leather pumps, Apt. 9 via Kohl's; Tiffany & Co. silver bead earrings; V'ta cut steel necklace; black Fendi spy bag

Work With What You've Got: Last Minute Wedding Guest

I have "lovingly" dubbed this chronological point in my life my transitional twenties. "What does the transitional twenties entail?," you might ask. Let me give you the breakdown: recent college graduate, being significantly underpaid and/or under appreciated at an entry level job if you can get one, being in debt; whether it's credit cards, student loans, or both, in/applying to/graduating from grad school, buying a house, moving out of your house (if you haven't already), moving back home with mom and dad (because you can't afford to be on your own), moving forward in significant personal relationships if applicable (i.e.: getting engaged, getting married) being part of other people moving forward in significant personal relationships (i.e.: bridesmaid, wedding guest) Although none of these life events are exclusive to one's twenties it seems that this definitely the inception of when the proverbial *&^% hits the fan.

While many of these things apply to me the one that keeps popping up recently has been: being part of other people moving forward in significant personal relationships (i.e.: bridesmaid, wedding guest) specifically as the wedding guest. While being part of people's special day is all good it is not really when you only have a week or two notice before you have to show up and on top of that it's not someone you are particularly close to (i.e: BF's co-worker) What is an indebted underpaid/under appreciated recent college grad working an entry level job with aspirations of going to grad school to do? Well, I'll tell you what I did... I dug in my closets (and mom's jewelry box) and came up with something! The only monies spent (by mom) were for a voluntary mani/pedi because... What do you think?

May 14, 2010

Today is the last day of academichic's Dress Your Best Week and I'm a little saddened by it. It's been amazing reading about how everyone is celebrating their bodies. S. summed it up best when she noted how great it is that we can all celebrate our uniqueness and not be caught up in aiming to celebrate the same body parts for their uniformity and similarity, but rather for what makes them unique on each one of us.

I really appreciate everyone's positive comments and I hope that you all keep reading 260 Days, No Repeats! While Dress Your Best Week is over for now it has definitely left an impression on me. Moving forward I will undoubtedly keep in mind celebrating the parts of myself that I love instead of covering/minimizing the ones that I don't every morning when I get dressed. Hopefully that reflects as I navigate through my closet and try to wear everything I have in fun new ways without any repeats! (of course)

I am celebrating the largest organ in my body today, my skin! I love my skin; it still heals pretty quickly, it's soft and smooth, it does everything it's supposed to do (with minor issues, adult acne anyone) while looking fab! Today is unfortunately wet and rainy outside so, I can't really flaunt my skin (within the business casual/casual friday parameters I am bound to) like I was originally planning but, I am going to protect it from the grossness outside!

• Top: gray short sleeve sweater with orange tank top (for the modesty), both from New York and Company; brown jacket, Ann Taylor Loft
• Bottom: trouser jeans, GAP outlet
• Shoes & Accessories: brown suede PUMA sneakers (best ever), Mandee; striped headband, via CVS; rainbow beaded earrings, via now defunct Moxie Bee; purple Coach bag

May 13, 2010

Dress Your Best Week is in the home stretch and I am still going! Today it's all about the comprehensive me and my hourglass shape. While I won't break down my exact measurements for you (it isn't about the numbers) I will say that my hips and bust are more or less equal and my waist is 9-10 inches smaller than that. These measurements are in essence what defines the hourglass body shape.

Many women dress their body to achieve this overall look and I am so happy (and apparently lucky) to have it appear naturally. I never realized how statistically uncommon a true hourglass shape is but, I digress... I'm talking shoulder pads to make narrow torsos appear more substantiated or boot cut jeans to give straight and narrow girls a more curvy shape. The list could go on but, you get my drift. I feel like the most universally flattering way to dress (or fake) an hourglass shape is with a wrap or faux wrap dress so that's what I'm doing today!

• Top: brown quintessential Diane VonFurstenberg wrap dress, via the outlet with a red tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: Spanx
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Issac Mizrahi gladiator sandals, Target; gold and mixed metal earrings, gift from Natalia/ModCloth; purple Coach bag

May 12, 2010

Day three of Dress Your Best Week is cold and bleak. I thought it was springtime for sure! But, since I wasn't woken by the sun peering through my window I am now running late... Please come back warm weather!

Today I am featuring my cheekbones which I think is translating more into my face shape. It's the one thing that has stayed pretty constant no matter how my weight has fluctuated and other part of me have changed which I love! I couldn't think of anyway to dress my face up (I don't wear makeup on a daily basis) besides dressing to draw the eye towards it. That has translated into a mute palette with a pop of color. How do you think I did?

• Top: black Thompson Street Caftan, New York and Company/gift from Mom (it's so strange to be wearing something current that I can actually link to) with a purple tank top underneath, for the modesty
• Bottom: gray pants, also New York and Company
• Shoes & Accessories: black Steve Madden pumps (FYI: they are having a sale right now), black Fendi spy bag, gold and mixed metal earrings, gift from my co-worker Natalia/free gift with her purchase from ModCloth

May 11, 2010

It's day two of Dress Your Best Week and the second thing on my list of things that I like about myself is my boobs which I think I will now refer to going forward as my girls... I'm really not sure what I was thinking when I typed that.

I have a pretty ample bosom which makes sense because I am a grown woman. The thing is, as a teenager I had a pretty ample bosom as well. At one point I would have even called it a defining characteristic, which is sad on so many levels. But, being a 13 years old who could (and did) pass for a college student and getting (good or bad) attention based on that from lots of people I met had an impact for sure.

This potentially misguided attention was only a small part of our love/hate relationship. When all my friends were in the size 0/2 range it was hard for me to reconcile that being curvy did not make me fat. Or strapless gowns (we had so many formal events) being difficult to wear was not because I was fat, per say, just that I had girls who needed more support.

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Now I am very aware of keeping my girls supported, modest, and appropriate which sometimes means covered up but, despite our ups and downs they have become one of my favorite parts of me. I think an easy way to accent them without being crude is with a nice v-neck top that has embellishment around the neck area and making sure I have a good bra! It's all about foundations.

• Top: gray ruffled v-neck tank top, New York and Company
• Bottom: black pencil skirt, Old Navy
• Shoes & Accessories: nude snake print sandals, Bandalino via Unique Thrift which I think are in keeping with yesterday's theme of legs since nude shoes make legs look endless but, I digress; gray shell earrings, gift from BF's mom; purple Coach bag, via outlet

Items from this outfit are previously seen here: