Happy Thanksgiving!

From: Iris 

To: You 

And The Winner Is...

Kimberlee VDW!!! Congratulations! I will be in touch shortly with details about your prize. Thanks to everyone who participated. I have some more giveaways in the works for the holidays so stay tuned!

FBFF: I Am Grateful For...

I love taking part in this traditional FBFF in the spirit of Thanksgiving. It is so easy to forget about when we are bombarded by Christmas mid-October. I have a lot of things to be thankful for (it's honestly overwhelming when I think about it) and it's nice to take a moment to stop and reflect on it. In no particular order here it is!

• My family is AMAZING. They make me laugh, they no longer make me cry (those angsty teenage years were rough)... it's a beautiful thing! I love that I am able to call my mom, dad, or brother up on the phone and share the silliest things about my day or just check in and see how they are doing. I am so grateful that I live so near to them that if I need a mom hug, or some secret family recipe chicken soup my parents are 15 minutes away to give me those things.

• I am so thankful that my brother is one of my best friends and I can talk to him about anything, that we can laugh about anything, and that we have vowed to always stay this close. 

• I love that I have found best friends in my extended family. I have a decent amount of cousins but, only a handful that I have been able to forge close relationships with. It doesn't matter how far we are from each other or even how often we speak we always remain close and I am so thankful for that.

• In these though economic times I am so happy to be able to make ends meet without selling a kidney on the black market. It might seem like an exaggeration but, with the economic climate we find ourselves in and the serious student loans/credit card bills I incurred while in school I am so happy that I have a job that allows me to manage them which works for right now.
• My friends... all two of them (just kidding) they crack me up! I love being able to surround myself with like minded friends and have the best times with a pen, a piece of tape, and a q-tip or nothing at all...

• I'm not going to get super emotional about how much I love BF but, I will say that I am so thankfull to have him in my life. We have been together for almost eight years (crazy) and we laugh with each other everyday... also mushy love things!

• My health is honestly a point of contention sometimes but, honestly it could be SO much worse. I really won't get into the nitty gritty but, I'm glad that I'm able to manage whatever health nonsense I have going on with just diet changes, trips to the doctor, and eye drops...
• I love when I am reminded to take time and notice the little things. Pink clouds anyone?

• I know this might sound cheesy, I am so grateful for YOU the people who read 260 Days, No Repeats. Just knowing that you are here definitely keeps me coming back to the computer to post daily as often as I can. It has helped me realize alot of things about my style, my body, and my wallet which is more helpful than you could realize.

What are you thankful for?

Please vote for my Fashion Malfunction, Poppin' Buttons!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

November 10, 2011: Wrapping It Up

While I posting all sorts of good stuff last week I missed out on my last two outfits. No worries, there were pictures. I am dedicated this month to not falling behind. If I can't make it through November/Thanksgiving how will I survive the upcoming doom holidays?

Last week on Thursday I went to a Connecticut university to do some on campus interviewing. I wanted to be comfortable (yoga pants?) for the long drive but, also wanted to be professional (sigh, no yoga pants) when I got there. Now only was I meeting with some students I was also meeting with my contact in career services so, I needed to make a good impression for sure. I think everything went well! Also, was trying out a new background... what do you think? Less court house for sure...

• Top: coral artist tank, Merona for Target; brown hounds-tooth jacket, LOFT
• Bottom: gray pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: brown/black snake embossed ballet flats, Xhiliration for Target; pearl earrings, Macy's/birthday gift from Mom; blue Foley + Corrina City Clutch via Plaza Too/gift from BF

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

On Friday I was so happy for the week to be at an end! There have been so many things happening on my social calendar that I just really wanted to go home for some rest and relaxation. Unfortunately those social obligations carried over into the weekend. At least I finished out my work week in some semblance of comfort.

• Top: yellow short sleeved sweater, GAP; gray pinstripe blazer (part of this suit), Calvin Klein via Loehmanns
• Bottom: black really skinny pants, GAP
  
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Nine West; coin pearl necklace, V'ta Jewelry; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from Mom then altered; purple tote bag. Coach

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here,  here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Please vote for my Fashion Malfunction, Poppin' Buttons!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Please Vote For Me!!!

I entered the Band-Aid Fashion Malfunction Story contest on Facebook and my story got selected for the voting round!! If you could head over there, read my funny story, and vote for me I would very much appreciate it, thanks. You can vote everyday so, I hope you make it a regular thing! All you have to do it go to the Band-Aid Brand page on Facebook, head to the second page of the Fashion Malfunction Gallery (My story is called Poppin' Buttons) and vote for me everyday until November 20, 2011! 

That grand prize is a trip for the winner only to New York, NY for a $2,500 Shopping Spree and styling session with Cynthia Rowley including airfare (not really necessary) and one night accommodations at a hotel. Other prizes include a $1,000 American Express Gift Card or Cynthia Rowley accessory bundle featuring various fashion accessories. If Jessica Quirk can win a honeymoon with her readers help then, maybe I can win one of these prizes with yours... Thanks for the help!!!

I Complete You Update

I like to smell nice! I swear I have been using other things too I have just gotten very good at not using more than I need. I guess deodarent is one of those things that doesn't get rationed out as stringently or that I wasn't overusing to being with. I would go with that latter...

Check out my updated list here.

November 9, 2011: Far From Favorite

Sorry for the delay, I wasn't falling off the face of the earth again I promise... there were posts! But, let's have a moment of honesty about what did happen in terms of outfit posts: I kind of HATED Wednesday's look. You might ask, "Why would you wear it out of the house then? Also, why do you not like it, I think it looks ok!" to which I would answer "It's a long story..."

Baisically, I picked out all of my outfits for the week but, didn't end up taking pictures in advance or trying anything on so when Wednesday morning rolled aroung and this outfit was a FAIL I didn't really have time to change into something else. Why was it a fail? First of all the shirt was way too short which wouldn't have been a huge problem if the pants hadn't been super tight. Lastly, while these shoes were a great find initally they have stretched to the point where they are difficult to walk in as in, I trip over my own feet! I might have to say goodbye to them unless someone knows how to shrink shoes... 

Sufficed to say I was uncomfortable and will never be putting those items together again beyond my personal style challenge. What do you do when your outfit is uncomfortable do you run out at lunch and buy something new, go home and change, or tuff it out for the rest of the day?

• Top: red embellished t-shirt, Van Heusen outlet (same shirt different color here); tank top underneath for the modesty; gray wool blazer, Isaac Mizrahi for Target (part of this suit)
• Bottom: brown pinstripe pants, New York and Company (not be confused with these)
• Shoes & Accessories: teal leather flats, ALDO via Re/Dress NYC; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry, purple tote bag, Coach 

Items from this outfit are previously seen sand remixed here, here, here, and here.

FBFF: Sans Makeup + BONUS Giveaway!

Honestly, I never rarely ever wear makeup anymore. Can you tell in my everyday pics? Maybe a little? Fine, be that way... I was more nervous about taking this picture because of my left eye which is now always slightly closed and a little wonky (thanks, eye drama!) Can you tell? Yeah, I know. 

Anyway, when I was very young I used to think that makeup was a really glamorous thing that the grown ups got to partake in and I didn't because I was too little. There was definitely one hilarious occasions (that I have seen pictures of) where I snuck into someones purse while everyone socialized at a family gathering and absconded with red lipstick which I promptly began to apply it to my whole face sort of like this:

I was a little too young to have the technique down but, there was time to figure it out... 

That was one of my earliest encounters with makeup and I can't really say that I loved it or didn't because I'm pretty sure I was 1 or 2. Throughout my youth watching my Mom apply her blush and pink lipstick or my grandmother heat up her eye pencil with a lighter and then put it on after her green eye shadow while I was growing up made me excited to be able to try it someday!

When I was in high school and had some a little autonomy I used to wear alot of makeup; foundation, eye shadow, eye liner, mascara, blush, lip liner, lip gloss... you name it, it was probably on my face. The real irony of that was the fact that I had amazing skin and really didn't need all that nonsense. Even more ironic is that the fact that now I am a "grown up" and don't wear makeup I have pretty consistent acne problems, what's up with that? 

Acne and all I still don't want to take from my time from my regular morning routine to put makeup on. Granted, I don't wear a ton of stuff now (dabs of concealer, spray foundation, eye shadow, mascara, blush, and lip gloss) but, I still don't want to have to deal with it. I think the most important thing is that I am ok with it; I don't NEED makeup everyday but, if I feel like putting it on for special occasions or events that's fine... 

On a related note, in the past few weeks I have been to a few events where makeup was a main component of the goodie bags which amounts to about $160 worth of products! Since I don't really wear makeup I wanted to pass them on to you instead of throwing them away... So here is what's in the proverbial bag because they don't all fit in the bag that is pictured:

• Laura Geller Retractable Powder Brush
• Laura Geller Air Whipped Lip Wear in Praline Mousse
• Laura Geller Eye Elements Bake Eye Shadow in Amethyst Skies
• Laura Geller Air Whipped Blush in Whisper Mulberry
• 2 Fusion Beauty: Lip Fusion Lip Plumping Pencil in Flush
• Pop Beauty Bronze Belle 8 Color Bronzing Kit
• Talika Eye Pencil in Black
• Denim Makeup Bag

This giveaway will be until November 18, 2011 and is open to US readers! I will pick the winner via Excel/random.org. Here are the rules: become a follower in Google (if you aren't already) and leave a comment on this post letting me know how you feel about makeup. Don't forget to add your email so I can contact you! For bonus entries:

• 1 bonus entry - "Like" 260 Days, No Repeats on Facebook. Leave another comment letting me know you did this.
• 1 bonus entry - Follow 260 Days, No Repeats on Twitter. Leave another comment with your twitter handle.
• 1 bonus entry = Follow 260 days, No Repeats on Bloglovin'. Leave another comment letting me know you did this.
• 3 bonus entries - Re-post this giveaway on your blog. Leave another comment letting me know you did this with the link.
• 5 bonus entries - Add 260 Days, No Repeats to your blogroll. Leave another comment letting me know you did this with the link.

Wicked Weekend

I had so much fun last week at A Little Wicked and am thrilled to share this invite with you! If you are going to be in the area stop by, browse select vintage pieces, sip some bubbly, be styled by Sammy, save 20% on your purchases and hang out with other fashionable ladies and blogger guests! Hopefully, I'll see you there...  

eShakti Picks for the Holidays

Remember that awesome eShakti.com coupon code that I had given you guys a little while back? Well, the deals are back on! You can still get $20 off of a purchase of $20 or more with code: 260DAYS0811 until 12/31/11! Tha's enough time to have all your upcoming special occasions covered. It is not valid on overstocks but, that's ok most of the good stuff is brand new anyway...

Since the holiday season is fast approaching here are my picks for the many social engagments that we alll will have on our plates. eShaki.com is really a one stop shop (including accessories and shoes sandals) and you could put together a whole outfit to be the perfect stylin' guest or lovely gracious hostess!

Thanksgiving



Ambergris Dress



Art Gallery Opening Dress

Office Holiday Party

Embellished Neckline Herringbone Tweed Dress

Bow Tie Neck Dress


ChristmaHanuKwanzaakah

Dzilla Brass Rings Dress



Cotton Rosette Trim Dress



New Years Eve

Ruffle Skirt Strapless Dress

Beaded Neck Shift Dress

November 8, 2011: Everybody, Everywhere Has Colored Tights

When colored tights came up at the theme for this month over at Everybody, Everywear I knew that I had this in the bag. Remember rainbow tights week? Yeah... I'm excited to break the stretchy goodness out of hibernation! Unfortunately, it is uncommonly warm today. Why not have a snow storm then an almost 70° day within a few weeks of each other? It makes total sense to me but, I might need to hold off on breaking out the rest for a little while longer...

• Top:  gray camo/animal print ruffle button down shirt, LOFT; black pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein via SYMS (part of this suit)
• Bottom: black pencil skirt (with pockets), Old Navy
• Shoes & Accessories: black patent leather t-strap pumps, LOFT; teal tights, Merona for Target; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry; gray and black purse, Pietro Alessandro

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

November 7, 2011: Back To School

The time of year where everyone heads back to the classroom has passed or so I thought; I am going back to college today! Let me explain... while working with an assortment of local colleges to set up recruiting events for my company I naturally reached out to my alma mater. After having many lovely conversations with the people in career services one of them invited me back to speak at an event about job search tactics for upcoming liberal arts graduates. I was more than happy to oblige!

On a related note, this dress makes me feel like a teacher (completely unintentional, I swear). I think my 7th grade teacher had one just like it... she had serious style! I got this dress during one of my final trips to Re/Dress NYC. They will be closing their doors in a few weeks and I wanted to take advantage of this great store while I can. I took my Mom because she has never been and needed to experience it before the final party. The dress had some wicked shoulder pads (which I removed) and after seeing it in pictures I think it needs to be hemmed but, there was something about the weird pattern (and pockets) that drew me in. Perhaps it was hypnotic suggestion, it's the perfect pattern for that; You are getting sleepy... You really love this dress... Excellent!

• Top: black and white checker print dress (with pockets), Studio Collection via Re/Dress with a tank top underneath for the modesty; black blazer, Ann Taylor via Melissa
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Candies via Kohl's; black belt, from this dress; pearl earrings, gift from Mom/Macy's; purple tote bag, Coach

November 4, 2011: Why Midi?

If you are participating in this theme week please link up below and put the trend that you are representing where it asks for your name. Please leave a comment after you post, thanks!

This has been a fun theme week, don't you agree? While it has been enjoyable I think I have been playing it safe for the most part. I really wanted to push myself out of my ever shifting comfort zone and try a trend that I'm not really a huge fan of: the midi skirt.

I think they are an extremely unflattering style unless you are tall with super long legs. Not that shorter/non leggy people can't make it work but, it is a challenge I have very little desire to make an attempt at, until now... Since I wasn't going to buy anything new for this week (or in general) I decided to attempt a faux midi by wearing my Monif C Converitble Dress lower on my hips which I think worked out well but, if you could see how I wrapped the 9 ft. sashes around myself to keep them in check you would probably laugh; my torso looks like a stylin' mummy!

Let me continue by saying that I am not a short person (5'8 ish on most days) but, I think that this length of skirt makes me look short and there isn't really a great way to combat other than skyscraper heels which I wasn't in the mood for. Do I think I look bad? No. I just don't think it is flattering which is what I want my daily attire to be! Are there any trends that you are finding look great on other people, just not on you?

• Top: pink ruffle embellished t-shirt, Merona via Target; gray pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein via Loehmanns (part of this suit)
• Bottom: Marilyn Convertible Dress as midi-skirt, Monif C (on sale)
• Shoes & Accessories: black ballet flats, Xhiliration via Target; rose quartz earrings, Elizabeth Showers Vintage; silver L.A.M.B bag via Loehmanns

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here.

Wicked Vintage

Two nights ago I spent the evening hanging out with lots of fashionable bloggers at A Little Wicked boutique downtown. Touted as “the chicer way of doing vintage” A Little Wicked is a streamlined store filled with handpicked and thoughtful finds. It's a nice change from the normal vintage shopping experience where you can find yourself combing through racks for hours and hours just to hope to find something that is legitimately vintage and works for you. 

Stop by the store, located at 279 Houston Street btwn. Clinton & Suffolk, especially in the coming weeks as they debut their holiday picks! Think gorgeous glam and sexy sparkles which is holiday dressing in a nut shell! You can also schedule a private styling session with one of their wicked stylist by emailing Sammy at Sammy@alittlewicked.com. That right Sammy from Sammy Davis Vintage, she's a doll!

I did take pictures but, they were with my phone so they came out lame (note to self: remember camera next time) so here is one from their blog:

Check out more pictures here! I'm in a few but, please excuse my sleepy face it was a long day... Also, there was a snazzy goody bag which I did manage to snap some pics of when I got home. I can't wait to use that scarf!

November 3, 2011: I've Got Lace

If you are participating in this theme week please link up below and put the trend that you are representing where it asks for your name. Please leave a comment after you post, thanks!

Many of the trends this fall make me think of a more classic style and lace is definitely one of them. The other thing that lace reminds me of is a doily. Thankfully, this shirt channels the classic style and not the latter but, despite that it is still a challenging piece to wear to work. Completely see through tops are not what I think of when I imagine professional business attire. O, you do? Then I should be ok... I rocked this top at my last job no problem but, this new office is decidedly more conservative. We shall see how it goes. What other items of clothing do you think push the corporate dress code? 

• Top: cream lace top, Merona for Target with a tank top underneath for the modesty; purple wool blazer, Victoria Holley/Mom's closet cleanout
• Bottom: gray pencil skirt, New York and Company
• Shoes & Accessories: brown pumps, Candies via Kohl's; coin pearl necklace, V'ta jewelry; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from Mom then altered; brown woven tote, Loeffler Randall

Items from this outfit are previously seen here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here and here. 

Featured: Fab Finds Under $50

One of my looks was selected for the November Outfit Inspiration Calendar over at Fab Finds Under $50. Check out the other looks for some great ideas!

November 2, 2011: I've Got a Tie-Neck Blouse, Kinda...

If you are participating in this theme week please link up below and put the trend that you are representing where it asks for your name. Please leave a comment after you post, thanks!

Ok let's talk about the gala for a hot second: It was extremely fancy, I saw a bunch of people from my old job that I missed alot, it is great to see that everything is going so well for the agency overall, it made me miss working there a bit, I got to meet Brandon Jacobs (running back for the New York Giants), I almost fell going up on stage to read raffle winners (darn shoes) the food was delicious, and it was an overall lovely evening!

Now about what I'm wearing today... I used to have actual tie neck blouses in my closet but, after they went unworn for a number of years I decided to donate them. Silly me, everything always comes back! But, since I doubt they would still be sitting around the second hand store and I don't want to buy anything new I needed to find a way to make this work. Enter, really long scarf tied in a bow! I think it works out perfectly. Also, I'm wearing polka dots again... I just cant get away from those Minnie Mouse trends  

• Top: light blue short sleeved sweater, LOFT (same shirt different color here, here, and here); white polka dot button down, Merona for Target; black pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein via SYMS (part of this suit)
• Bottom: black pencil skirt (with pockets), Old Navy
• Shoes & Accessories:  black pumps, Nine West; blue, green, and black scarf, Lane Bryant; pearl earrings, birthday gift from Mom; purple tote bag, Coach

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.

Night Out: Gala 2011

Do you remember last year when I went to a gala? Well, I am going to the gala again. Actually I'm at the cocktail hour right now thanks to the magic of previously scheduled posts. You can just imagine that my hair is flawless and my makeup is polished because I didn't really feel like going through all that trouble for picture taking Sundays. Maybe I will have some actually pictures from the event tomorrow and you can see what is really going on...

I find this evening outfit to be an amazingly excellent example of going from day to night. I mean, you saw what I was wearing earlier! I make a couple of simple swaps and the dress becomes a whole new world thing. I find it even more amazing for the work to evening swap because I've already used it that way a few times. The fact that I was able to make it come together for a formal affair makes it the best piece ever! I don't know what this dress is going to do next. Do you have anything like that in your closet: a piece you can take from day to evening and maybe even a fancy event?

• Top: ivory sheath dress, Adrianne Vitadinni via Loehmans/gift from Mom
• Shoes & Accessories: silver t-strap shoes, Due Farina; rhinestone studs, New York & Company/gift from BF's parents; Isadora Pearl Bib, stella & dot; violet Clea Clutch, Katherine Kwei/won at Blogger's Night Out 

November 1 2011: I've Got (More) Chunky Heels and a Sheath Dress?

If you are participating in this theme week please link up below and put the trend that you are representing where it asks for your name. Please leave a comment after you post, thanks!

I feel like today's outfit is a bit of a cop out... Didn't I do chunky heels yesterday? Yeah, I did... I promise there is a good reason for all this repetition which you will learn about later. Let's just say I didn't really consider social events I have going on when I decided that it would be theme week this week, silly me.

The working girl dress/office dress/sheath dress was a trend I saw intermittently sprinkled throughout different lists so it works that I'm rocking that too although I would really consider this look classic all the way! What other trends do you see now that you would consider timeless?

• Top: ivory sheath dress, Adrianne Vitadinni via Loehmans/gift from Mom; black long cardigan, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: black suede pumps,Missoni for Target; tourmaline earrings, V'ta Jewelry; purple tote bag, Coach

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here, here, here, here, here, here, and here