Unposted Outfits: Summer 2011

Now that I have some free time on my hands, for obvious reasons, I decided to do some housekeeping. I have honestly worn a different outfit to work everyday for the last three(ish) years but, with my last position taking up an immense amount of my time it became a struggle to post everything as I had been from the beginning. But, as I said there were pictures pretty much everyday so now I am going to go through them and sort out the fab outfits that you haven't seen yet. Get ready for some throwbacks... 

You've already caught a glimpse of this outfit when I talked about my purchases and acquisitions for July 2011 but, I never put up a post. I don't remember exactly what I was doing that day but, it was definitely work related and obviously fun-tastic... can't you see that smile on my face? That dress was a great addition to my wardrobe thanks to a dear friend's closet clean out. What girl doesn't need another little black dress, especially when it's free?

• Top: second hand black dress, Mossimo for Target via Caroline with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW

I really have no idea what was going on this day but, given the level of comfort happening with this outfit I'm going to guess it was a Friday. Now I appreciate the craziness effectiveness of my original method of tracking my outfits. When I get back into wearing work outfits there is going to be a revival! These polka dot shirts are some of the comfiest that I own and I have had them forever! Do you have pieces in your closet like that? Shirts? Pants? Do tell... 

• Top: blue and white polka dot shirt, Old Navy (same shirt different color here, here, here)
• Bottom: gray pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: red Bridget Thong Sandal, LOFT/gift from mom; pearl earrings, Macys/gift from Mom; silver watch, Fossil

There are few things that struck me about this photo: Firstly, look at how short my hair is!!! I know it's not considerable shorter than in all of these other pictures but, curls definitely take some length. I think it will probably be a while before I get my hair cut that short again... While I love the idea of this outfit it doesn't work... the skirt is too tight (I probably haven't worn it since) and the shirt is just a t-shirt. Perhaps a blazer would have helped make it a little more professional... next time but, no repeats! 

• Top: green and white scroll print t-shirt, LOFT
• Bottom: beige pinstripe skirt, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Stella wedge pumps, Seychelles via DSW; gray head band, scuunci; mixed metal earrings, Modcloth/gift from Natalia; silver watch, Fossil

There must have been a noise in the hallway or something... or I was bored with picture taking; Either is a strong possibility. This outfit just screams 'warm weather' to me with the combination of one of my favorite summer colors, the picnic table cloth plaid skirt, and the fab sandals. While it was definitely a work outfit I would wear it to hang out with friends or run errands. What work outfits do double duty for you?

• Top: orange crochet neck blouse, LOFT (same shirt different color here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, here, and here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: orange, beige, and brown plaid skirt, LOFT 
• Shoes & Accessories: gladiator sandals, Christian Siriano for Payless

I'm glad that I had at least made it outside during the day for one picture!  I'm obvi exaggerating but, hopefully in whatever my next job role is I will have time to keep doing the things that I enjoy like blogging and laundry groceries cleaning spending time with friends etc. In terms of the outfit, this is another one my favorite color combos. You can't go wrong with red, black, and white it's so classic! Also, seeing this outfit is a nice reminder of a great shirt which no longer has real estate in my closet AKA I donated it. After lots and lots of outfits (and washes) it shrunk quite a bit and wasn't flattering anymore. I hope it's found a nice new home in someone else's wardrobe.

• Top: red embellished t-shirt, Van Heusen outlet (same shirt different color here)
• Bottom:  black, gray, and white skirt (with pockets), Target
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Genero Sandal, SE Boutique via DSW; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from Mom then altered; silver watch, Fossil

Stay tuned for more unposted outfits as I go through the innumerable amount of photos on my computer. Up next... Fall 2011? Wow, we are really going WAY back. 

August 22, 2012: Classic Fashion Rules

We've ruminated over the 'no white after labor day' rule before. Frankly I'm still not all in but, that doesn't necessarily mean that I don't enjoy the judgement free summer days of wearing white. Because the dress code of my office is not technically strictly professional I've been hesitant to wear this crisp white eyelet lace dress; It's normally a go to pick for barbeques not boardrooms. After I glanced at the calendar and realized summer is coming to a close I thought, "There's no time like the present!" or something like that... The ensemble went off without a hitch any awkward conversations and I would deem that a success. A cardigan really works wonders in keeping an outfit professional!

While the outfit was perfect acceptable for the office, it a great ensemble for another fun after hours event with The Blogger Collective.  We had a meet and greet with one of the founders of Snapette and her team. There were cupcakes, a product demonstration, and all around fun times. It's actually a really cool app for all you super shoppers out there. Launched in 2011, Snapette has quickly become the must-have mobile app for fashion lovers. The members are obsessed with snapping photos of all the beautiful clothes, shoes, and accessories they see and sharing them for others to discover. Snapette also partners with a number of brands for peeks at their newest offerings and special discounts. Download the free app (for iPhone or Android) today and follow me!

• Top: white eyelet lace dress, dELiA*s; blue embellished cardigan, Merona for Target/b-day gift from BF's parents    
  
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW; blue stone earrings, V'ta Jewelry; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF 
  

Items from this outfit are previously seen  here.

August 13, 2012: Suiting Up

Over the weekend I had a conversation with my father about work. He is closing in on retirement but, still goes to work everyday and does what he needs to do to the best of his ability everyday. I am nowhere near retirement and sometimes I have trouble motivating and taking care of business in the most efficient way. There should be no reason for that, it's time to get down to business. There really is something about a suit/blazer that gets me into a hyper professional mind set hence Monday/Suit Day continues!

Monday was also the day where an unusually large number of new employees started so I needed to set a good example. Especially because they were all recent college graduates. While I don't wasn't to knock my slightly younger peers I am comfortable saying that many of them do not always know how to dress in a professional setting. This is not an assumption, it is something I have witnessed first hand. 

• Top: red bella swan blouson, eShakti.com; beige blazer, Tahari via Loehmanns 
• Bottom:  beige skirt with side pleat details, Tahari via Loehmanns
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF  

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

August 8, 2012: On The Mend

I am wearing real shoes for the first time in weeks! When I first sprained my ankle I was excited to shirk my office dress code and wear flip flops to work because my air cast doesn't fit in any of my shoes. Thankfully, my boss was understanding about the whole thing. After the first week I was back to putting together outfits complete with complimentary wedges or heels but, was unable to wear them without putting unnecessary stress on my ankle without further injuring myself.I'm not 100% better but, I am able to downgrade the air cast for a stretchy brace and wear real shoes. I can't wait to get back in some heels!

• Top: pink embroidered dress, Unique Thrift Store/gift from Mom; black v-neck cardigan, 14th & Union/gift from BF's parents
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW; rainbow swarovski crystal earrings, V'ta Jewelry; silver watch, Fossil; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

Items from this outfit are previously seen here.

August 27, 2011: State of Anticipation

So first it was an earthquake and now it's a hurricane! What's next, Earth? When I was getting ready in the morning I was very focused on taking advantage of the second to last summer Friday (meaning we get out early) that I have left and wearing something that was a testament to the quickly ending summer season and less to the potential "impending doom" that is on the way hence, white linen...

The way the the city (both government and occupants) have been talking about Irene I was mostly concerned about getting home before the "storm of the century" hit. I am planning on camping out in my apartment with good DVR and a small stack of September Issues. Are you going to have to deal with Hurricane Irene? What are you doing to weather the storm?

• Top: white short sleeve sweater, LOFT (same shirt different color here and here); white linen blazer, Bitten via Steve & Barry's
• Bottom: black really skinny pants, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW; pink rhodochrosite and mother of pearl necklace, Gem Cove/birthday gift from Mom; pink rhodochrosite and mother of pearl earrings,  Gem Cove/birthday gift from Mom; gray and black purse, Pietro Alessandro   

Here is my Stella & Dot pick:

Carnival Necklace

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, and here:

June 13, 2011: Held On

I love this dress! I have had it for a long time and this is the first time that I have ever worn it out in public. Why? Well because it has a fairly open back and this deep drapey v-neck in the front. I'm glad I ignored the (logical) part of my brain that had told me to donate it so many times before and held on to it.

Since I was wearing it to work the easiest thing was to throw something over it. I think it might have been a bit more structured with a blazer or cardi, maybe next time... I also figured out (through much trial and error) that I can get away with a strapless bra and tank top for the modesty by day or night when I have plans with friends! I know, I know 2 + 2 = 4... revelations.

Do you have an item that you are holding on to because you're not sure how to wear it but, can't bear to get rid of it? Did you have such an item? How did you end up making it work?

• Top: blue gray draped jersey knit dress, BCBG MaxAzria with a tank top underneath for the modesty; gray flyaway cardigan, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: silver cutout flats, Corso Como via DSW; my abuela's vintage silver hoop earring; purple shoulder 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, and here:

Purchases and Aquisitions: June 2011

I will start out by saying that this month was a bit bonkers when it came to shopping and wardrobe additions in general! I know that might come as a shock to you considering the small amount of money I spent last year and all the months where I didn't shop at all but, it is the truth.

How? Well, it's a two fold story... First of all, remember when I was lamenting my need for office appropriate summer shoes? Well if not click that link and get up to speed! If so, you will be happy to know that BF really came through for our anniversary on the 25th. Not only did we go eat at a nice restaurant and spend some time together but, he took me shopping for (yeah, you guessed it) office appropriate summer shoes and some work wardrobe things as well. Four cardigans and six pairs of peep toes later I am feeling pretty confident about my ability to fulfill all my work wardrobe needs.

After all the fun gift stuff I still felt the need for more shoes if you can believe that and this is where things got really crazy. I have been wearing some of my shoes to death, literally and they have been overdue for replacements. They were all from the same shopping trip to Target in the summer of 2008. If I'm doing the math right that was three years and a few tubes of Krazy Glue ago! Yup, Krazy Glue; I'm allowed to get new shoes, right?  Check out the pictures and let me know if you saw that same need I did...

Now that we have established that I will admit that when I went looking for new shoes I was searching for something that would last just as long if not longer than my old shoes. When I hit the mall I experienced a bit of sticker shock after I found these three pairs of shoes (which I think fit the bill) and finally checked out. The grand total was $156.84!! That's more than I spent on everything last year in total! Let's just say after that shopping trip I had a freak out moment or two/ten. Was I really justified in spending all that money on shoes?

In the end I think yes and I have to keep reminding myself of that! Here's how I came to that conclusion:

• Even though I spent a good chunk of change I shopped smart and saved over $100.00 compared to the original retail prices.
• I hadn't purchased shoes like this since 2008, it's not like I had tons of replacements waiting in the wings.
• I wore the old ones so much that they literally fell apart and I had to glue them back together. I will probably get the same use out of these.
• I did some math and realized that even with this "crazy" expense I have spent an average of $20 per month in total since I started this blog and my personal style challenge.

Pre-blog Iris wouldn't have needed this justification, she wouldn't have given it a second thought... I reference pre-blog Iris everyone once and a while here on 260 Days, No Repeats but,  I don't think that anyone who didn't know me in person can completely grasp it. Would I consider myself a shopaholic? No, not really. Would I have considered myself one of these young people? No, my self confidence is pretty solid. When reflecting on my past shopping habits I would say that I was unconcerned with consequences, let me explain; I wasn't going to die if I didn't have "it" (whatever "it" was at the time) but, if I wanted "it" why not just get "it"? I could pay my bills and afford "it" (at least that's what I thought) so there was nothing to hold me back. Then reality set in...

I don't really have the money to spend like that. I'm still paying for things that I purchased back then (approx 4 years ago) not even thinking that it might be something that of concern years down the road. After a year of keeping my metaphorical purse strings tight, I had alot of trouble incorporating the real need/the money I needed to spend to fulfill it with my new "shop your closet/no shopping" mentality. In the end it worked out but, I'm just hoping I don't need to do it again anytime soon! Do you ever find yourself having difficulty justifying the cost of something you need? How do you work that out in the end?