(Business) Casual

Did you notice that it became summer yesterday? No? Maybe it wasn't as hot by you as it was here in New York City. Even though the official start of the summer season is not for a few weeks the temperatures climbed to 88°! While I love warmer weather, I regretted wearing what I did yesterday, namely the black cardigan sweater. It felt a little oppressive especially after I left the nice air conditioned office to go get lunch. If this feels like too heat much now, how am I going to survive the (actual) summer season?

Since there isn't anything formal going on today at work I decided to lean more towards to "casual" side of business casual. Also, I was just itching to wear these pants I picked up over the weekend, aren't they great? I had been scouring stores for this kind of color/pattern combo to no avail but, finally found them at one of my favorite stores which just so happens to be in Richmond, VA. A long way to travel for clothes I know but, Ashby is just that good... kidding, I have family in the area and great thrift shopping is just a bonus. Do you have any special shopping spots to hit while your on vaca?

• Top: orange button down shirt, Eddie Bauer
• Bottom: black and white printed pants, Kenar via Ashby
• Shoes & Accessories: purple Reva ballet flats, Tory Burch; pearl earrings, Macys 

I'm linking up with What I Wore, Watcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday, Mid-Week Muse

August 25, 2011: Sexy Librarian

Sorry for the delay Blogger was giving me some serious problems this morning that I did not have time to deal with in the morning rush. Normally I will run a search when updating on items that I have previously worn and it told me that I have never written anything about "tweed"... seriously!? So since I couldn't get the whole post together and still make my bus I decided to put it off until I got home. This allowed me to get a few compliments at work that I could tell you about. Apparently, my professional pattern mixing is appreciated!

This title is what BF described my look as when I put on this outfit to take the pictures. That wasn't really the look I was going for but, I'll take what I can get... Isn't is funny how when you put on something that is very covered up but, form hugging it instantly becomes "sexy." To combat the pulling/inappropriateness of the third button (the one that sits over my bosom, that jerk) I put on a cardigan. I figured worse comes to worse I could always pull that closed if things for out of control which they (thankfully) didn't. Do you have a "sexy" but, covered up look? What does it consist of?

It took alot of self control to not have a title that was earthquake related but, obviously I don't have a ton since I still mentioned it. I'll be honest I didn't feel a thing because I was "hoofing it" from one end of the office to another but, then all of a sudden people talking about it, running downstairs, our phones weren't working, etc. and it was confirmed by CNN.com moments later. All this experience did (for me) was allow me to say that I survived it, get a few swarm badges on foursquare, and reaffirm that NYC is not the place to be when buildings shake or anything else happens, everyone jumps to "terrorism" and panics. How was it for you guys? Did anyone else feel the Earth shake?

• Top: pink striped button down shirt, GAP; black cardigan, Merona via Target/gift from BF
• Bottom: black and white tweed pencil skirt, Isaac Mizrahi for Target via The Unique Thrift Store
• Shoes & Accessories: black patent leather t-strap pumps, LOFT; chalcedony and mother of pearl earrings, Gem Cove/birthday gift from Mom; black belt, came with this dress; gray and black purse, Pietro Alessandro

My Stella & Dot Pick:

After the Rain Bracelet

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

April 22, 2010 - Happy Earth Day!

Also, Happy Belated Administrative Professionals Day! I totally forgot, silly me. Though, when I realized that it was I became a little bummed because no one did anything for me this year. While technically I'm not sure if I fall into the category of "Administrative Professional", I got free lunch last year, what gives?

In the spirit of Earth Day I scoured my closet for something to wear that I felt would be a good representation of "being green". I decided that I would try to find things that are second hand and throw together an outfit with that because the average American throws away 68 pounds of textiles per year only 10 of which are recycled. Thrifting and buying vintage isn't only for style it's to help the Earth!

Thankfully, when my dear friend Melissa moved to London I inherited a bunch of her clothes during the closet purge/packing extravaganza and my mom is always giving me things after she wears them once or twice and decides that's enough for her... In the end, I think this entire experience is a movement towards "being green" because it's more about working with what you have not, buying tons of thing to make new outfits and adding to it. It's no Uniform Project (which is wrapping up in 10 days, kudos! see here for more info) but, it works for me! How are you celebrating Earth Day? On to my outfit:

• Top: orange button down Eddie Bauer shirt via Melissa
• Bottom: beige tweed Ann Taylor Loft skirt via Mom... definitely thrifted
• Shoes & Accessories: taupe Steve Madden pumps; blue Foley & Corrina city clutch, V'ta moonstone earrings and "bubble gum" bracelet.

April 15, 2010

Just to follow up from yesterday; they DID provide a shuttle from the parking lot to the main campus but, I must have missed it the past few times I was there for a job fair. Now I know...

Tonight my BF is taking me out for a surprise. When I asked him last night what I should wear he said whatever I wore to work would be acceptable. Thinking about it now I realize how not helpful that statement was but, since I think I have an idea/wishful thoughts about what it is, I can plan accordingly. Either way I will have enough time to change quickly when I get home after work anyway so this really doesn't need to be taken into account heavily.

• Top: white polka dot button down, Merona fromTarget topped with a purple scoopneck sweater vest, New York & Company. I have had this blouse for years it was part of the whole menswear/bow craze and come with additional fabric to make a tie/bow that I have set aside until that trend returns...
• Bottom: beige Marissa pant (love the cut), Ann Taylor Loft via my mom probably thrifted. Loft is having a big sale now, check out the clearance section and get an additional 40% off with the code SALE40 for a limited time.
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Steve Madden; black beaded necklace from a craft space in Laguna Beach; black onyx earrings, V'ta; and the yellow alley bag... yes it is time to switch. I have had these black pumps for even longer than the white shirt and they have visited my shoe guy, who works magic, a few times for new heels, polishing, and other repairs but always come out looking like new. If you love your shoes I would recommend taking your tired soles for some time with a cobbler and it's drastically cheaper than buying a whole new pair.

April 6, 2010

It's overcast and glum outside which makes me sad. The weather had just started to take a turn for the sunnier! The only reason I am not wearing a pair of pants and faux sneakers is because I scraped my knee pretty badly last night and am trying to give it some air. While taking a stroll around my beautiful and serene neighborhood on the banks of the Hudson I slipped on some gravel and came straight down on my right knee. A beautiful evening took a quick turn and it was a pain hobbling home for first-aid and ice but, I suppose it could have been worse.

• Top: khaki safari style shirt from NY & Co with a white and silver striped tank underneath (for the modesty) from Express many years ago.
• Bottom: khaki green skirt from Target. This is a classic piece of clothes! They are selling the same one that I got last year, this year but, I digress...
• Shoes & Accessories: silver hardware embellished flats from Nordtrom Rack, Tiffany silver earrings, V'ta Cut Steel necklace, and my trusty patent leather purple Coach bag.