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 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 10, 2010

Happy Monday! This week is officially Dress Your Best Week at academichic and I have decided to participate because so often, our focus when getting dressed in the morning is how to minimize or downplay aspects of our bodies that we’re just not crazy about. Does this skirt smooth my hips? Does this top hide my tummy? Do these pants make my thighs look slimmer? They wondered, as did I, what would happen if you inverted that thought process? What if, instead of dressing to mitigate your so-so, you dressed to highlight the parts of your body that you love most? What if, for a whole week, you committed to self-consciously dressing your best bits? See who else is dressing their best...

I am so excited to participate but, I have to confess coming up with five things that I like about myself was difficult. We live in a society where airbrushed and digitally altered people are the mainstream of beauty. For everyone I know (myself included), there are always parts of one's self that can be improved upon. The five part of myself that I picked (the last one was a suggestion by BF) were:

1. my legs/calves
2. my boobs
3. my cheekbones (although I don’t know how one dresses to accentuate that)
4. my hourglass shape
5. my soft skin

Today, I am dressing for my legs which doesn't necessarily mean short skirts or cut off shorts! I think one of the way to make them look their best is a modest (but sexy) pencil skirt which comes to the knee and some killer heels. Your legs look miles long! The pencil skirt is easy but, picking shoes is a little more difficult to choose because I still need to be comfortable at work. Hopefully, I am achieving the best look for my legs, what do you think?

• Top: black and white sweater shirt combo, August Silk via Mom's closet purge
• Bottom: gray pencil skirt, New York and Company
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Candies via Kohl's; onxy and hematite necklace, via local jewelry store; onxy earrings, V'ta; purple Coach bag, via outlet

Items from this post can been previously seen here:

Happy Mother's Day

From: She Spys The Buys
To: You and Yours

May 7, 2010

Yesterday I got SO many compliments on my dress! I love when something so simple and classic can be such cause for conversation!

Today I am not feeling the standard Friday theme. Maybe it's because I had a break mid-week, or because I have alot of work to do, or perhaps it's some other unknown reason... I just can't put my finger on it! Don't get me wrong I love the weekends but, I have a feeling that this one will come and go pretty quickly without that satisfying sense of rest.

• Top: lilac vintage Lacoste polo, via mom/thrifted
• Bottom: dark denim capris, random brand that fit via Macy's
• Shoes & Accessories: black Rocket Dog sneakers; handmade silkscreened scarf from Lyon, France via Little Brother during his study abroad tied as a headscarf for a vintage feel; swarovski crystal earrings, Pennyweights; silver L.A.M.B bag via Loehmann's

May 6, 2010

Sorry for no post yesterday but, I didn't go into work. Today, on the other hand, I most definitely am and my projects are looming overhead! I need a vacation, a legit vacation not, random sporadic days off to run errands but, I digress...

• Top: navy blue Adrienne Vittadini dress (with pockets), abducted/borrowed from mom, via Loehmanns
• Bottom:
• Shoes & Accesories: silver Issac Mizrahi gladiator sandals, Target (yes, from "back in the day" before he left). I might be taking a chance with the sandals since it is supposed to be precipitating in some way today but, I love them! Silver beaded necklace, Bitten via Steve & Barry's; Tiffany & Co. silver earrings; cream Loeffler Randall for Target purse
  
  

April 26, 2010

First of all, how do you like the new logo/banner? It was made by a very talented and creative design team... my mom and I. And, when I say "my mom and I" I mean I had an idea and she completely bought it to life *thanks mom* with a little technical contribution from me. I think it is pretty amazing and love the fact that it looks a little Jordi Labanda-ish, no? Either way, I hope you enjoy it!

This morning is so gloomy and cold (compartively to the past few days) and it's not helping me want to get ready and leave my warm cozy apartment at all. I think someone should tell Monday that they can't be like this and instead they should be sunny and beautiful so I am more motivated! Now we can come back to reality with today's outfit. Please excuse the random shots, I am still trying to get the timing down... is there something on my face?

• Top: purple 3/4 length sleeve t-shirt, Target
• Bottom: black and white tweed pants, Mandee. Yes, you read correctlyMandee. I have had these pants since high school. I don't know if that's something to be proud of or not but, they still fit and are still appropriate so... I keep them. Thank you business casual prep school!
• Shoes & Accessories: black suede Rocket Dog sneaker shoes, today is just the day for things from high school... V'ta coin pearl necklace, Tiffany silver earrings, and the yellow alley bag

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 12, 2010

Happy Monday to all! I hope this week is a good one for you! I've got doctor's appointment, meetings, presentations, and a job fair (as a recruiter) so... you will potentially get to see lots of different looks from me.

I only have two complaints about Lucy. First, I'm not exactly sure where to put her. She is now taking up random space in my hallway that used to be nice and empty which is fine for now but, a better permanent solution would be nice. For now it's going to take some getting used to waking up first thing in them morning walking out of my bedroom with no glasses on and seeing what sleepy blind me perceives to be a blurry menacing headless figure... not cool. The other is that she is 100% NOT my size. If you took a gander at the picture of her yesterday you might notice that she is probably about a size 2. Now that is not to say that there is anything wrong with being a size 2 just that, I am not! I have to pin my clothes on her to make it look not tent like. That is all going to take some getting used to and, while there is nothing wrong with being my size either, the pinning makes me feel fat, so much extra cloth!

I don't want to start this week off too negatively though. I am glad to say that Lucy helps me have everything together in the morning. It is a project to dress her because although she might appear to be thin and plastic the metal base weighs a ton. So, in order to avoid any lateness of me on her part I picked out my outfit last night... after I checked the weather and saw what a gorgeous day it is going to be!

Since I don't really have anything going on other than a doctor's appointment it's pretty standard business casual for me:

• Top: dark brown short sleeved sweater from Gap outlet (they have great basics) with a white tank top underneath (for the modesty)
• Bottom: yellow skirt with brown polka dots, Merona for Target (FYI if you pick up the May 2010 edition of Everyday with Rachael Ray there is a 20% off Merona coupon in there, or you could just rip it out at the checkout... either way)
• Shoes & Accessories: purple faux suede Mossimo flats from Target almost identical to these, V'ta coin pearl necklace, and gray Balenciaga Le-Dix/motorcycle bag

Lucy, The Plastic Chic

This is Lucy! My mom lent her to me so that I could photograph my outfits without lying them on my bedroom floor. Not very classy in her opinion. I named her Lucy because I didn't want to refer to "the mannequin" or "that plastic chic" although the latter might have been funny for a while. Maybe we should call her "Lucy, the plastic chic." Or just plain old "Lucy" for short. Lucy just seemed fitting to me although slightly strange because that is also my grandmother's name. I think she would be proud of my practical "work with what you've got" efforts though so here's to Mamá (my grandmother) and Lucy as well...