Basic Black "Suit"

This weekend we moved picture taking Sunday to a different part of the lawn where the sun was not trying to blind me (awkward face.) I guess later in the day would be better next time but, I digress... at least we got it done unlike last week. Like last Monday I am all about getting down to business can't you tell form my serious face? No, fine... good thing I'm wearing this "suit" to convey the serious and professional nature of my attitude. Also, I'm presenting today so my ensemble needs to be in line with that and we've I've leaned separates are the best when you are in between suits.  

Let's talk about this shirt for a moment. Have you ever found something while perusing a store that just seemed too good to be true? That was this shirt... While combing through the clearance rack at a local consignment store the bold pattern caught my eye. When I picked it up I realized, after the double take, that it was Missoni, real Missoni (yay) for 75% off the already reduced price (more yay.) After I tried it on and it fit how could I not buy it? There was no way, it was meant to be. What have been some of your greatest shopping "steals?"

• Top: orange striped tank top, Missoni via Current Consignment; black blazer, Ann Taylor
• Bottom: black slacks, Ann Taylor via Goodwill
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Nine West; pearl earrings, Macys 

I most recently wore this blazer here.

I'm linking up with Style to Inspire, Mix It Mondays, Visible Monday, Let It Shine, How I Spring, Monday Mingle, Creative Mondays, Two Birds, and Personal Style Monday

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

October 11, 2011: Geometry is Sexy

With all the talk of Re/Dress NYC closing it's doors I felt a strong urge to finally bust out this dress that I have been saving for the right occasion. I think I've made this "mistake" before; what is really the "right time" to wear awesome clothes other than everyday? That being said, I definitely had to wait until the weather got cooler before I swaddled myself in polyester because it doesn't breathe at all!

Also, I just want to point out that I did not come up with "Geometry is Sexy" myself (as much as I might have wished I did) it was on the tag for the dress that I picked up at the $20 Vintage Dress sale in June! Yes, I saved the tag... No, you shouldn't judge me. If you are a blogger, where do you come up with inspiration for your blog post titles?

Now on to the shoes... I know I expressed a fair share of condemnation towards Target in response to their frustrating Missoni launch but, while I was at Target looking for something completely unrelated I spotted an endcap with a bunch of these shoes and one pair in my size! Since I have a gift card to Targét burning a hole in my wallet I decided to pick them up. Then I may or may not have fallen prey to the Missoni for Target craze and gone to different Target's looking for more stuff...

• Top: beige, black, and red vintage "Geometry is Sexy" dress, Kathy via Re/Dress NYC
• Shoes & Accessories: black suede pumps,Missoni for Target; black belt, came with this dress; pearl earrings, Macy's/birthday gift from Mom; gray Le Dix/Motorcycle bag, Balenciaga 

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!!

FBFF: In the "in-crowd"

1. Do you ever see a fad hit the stores and immediately dislike it? Has that fad ever began to grow on you?

I feel like all of these questions are going to inevitably lead back to skinny jeans or (shudder) jeggings so I'll just put that out there right now. I cannot think of an item of clothing that was super trendy but, I was more against when it hit stores than the skinny jean. I thought they were unflattering, sort of immodest, and all around not for me. I mean, not all trends are for everyone so how would these wierd legging like denim things work for me? I resolved that they wouldn't and they should be relegated to super skinny model like frames...

2. Has the popularity of a certain piece of clothing or line ever convinced you to try on something (or purchase something) you dislike?

I always try things on if I am the least bit interested (rompers, those wierd ankle sandal shoes, etc.) and they don't always work (rompers, those wierd ankle sandal shoes, etc.)  and that's ok because I know for sure! Since I have been curbing my shopping I have gotten alot better at recognizing what is flattering/fits and what doesn't. It is a waste of money to buy something that is trendy and maybe kinda sorta works for you but, you don't love/it fits strangely becuase it just sits in your closet and you will wear rarely if at all. It's happened to me plenty of times before and I've learned from those mistakes. If you don't love it don't buy it even if it is the height of fashion!

3. Have you ever changed your mind about a trend after seeing it around for a while?

Now we head back to skinny jeans... Last summer I went shopping with my mother for my birthday and decided if I could find a pair in my size that were a good color I would try them on and see what all the fuss was about. When I slipped into them I completely fell in love. The color was great, the fit was perfect, and they were BEYOND comfy. I am a believer fan now, you won skinny jeans.

4. Do you feel a certain pressure to have specific items in your closet because 'everyone' else does?

Not really, maybe when I was younger because I wanted to be super cool. Now that I am a bit older I think I have super cool style without overloading it with trends and things that everyone else wears.

5. Be honest, what do you think of the Missoni line? Did you grab any items? Is it worth the eBay prices?

Honestly, I think it is SO frustrating. I will start this out by saying that generally I love Target but, they did a horrible job with the Missoni launch.

Photo courtesy of fashioninaction.blogspot.com

The line was really lovely and well designed. For the first time in a long time I was actually excited to shop and potentially spend the still over-priced $30-$50+ on something (shoes possibly a dress even though they always end up being short) They might not have been the best quality but, I thought whatever piece I selected would be a nice addition to my fall wardrobe and it was worth heading to the store and taking a look at/trying on the actual items.

Unfortunatley, because I waited a hot second to scope it out everything was gone and Target's site was down before I even had a chance to change my mind about going. Then, I was reading people's reactions and experiences about the whole thing and I was even more disgusted that Target hadn't planned it out better. One woman actually had to fighr people to get her items, got stuck in line for 45+ minutes, and then had to leave in tears without purchasing anything because of a child related obligation. Overreacting? Maybe but, my heart went out to her anyway.

Photo courtesy of webguild.com

Maybe the Target by you is nice and friendly, maybe they still have some Missoni pieces left over (where do you live?) but, that does not describe the majority of the Targets by me. My experience would have been like that woman's (minus the child) or worse. If I come across Missoni in the sales racks or at a Target far away from home I will take a look, maybe even try the items on if they are in my size but, I am so beyond the sensationalized overraction that I never even got to really have in the first place.

Check out everyone else's answers over at Modly Chic!