Girlboss

I'm sure you've noticed that things have been a little cray cray for me recently. No? I guess I'm doing a better job at covering it up than I thought but, it's time to come clean... While life things can sometimes feel overwhelming things at work, specifically, are out of control right now. Long story short; two higher level people in my department resigned for other opportunities (yay for them) then, my director was asked to resign per an internal investigation (we wish her the best) and the same day someone who she brought on walked off the job due to the aforementioned requested resignation (I have no words.)

In the course of thirty six(ish) hours the staff in my department decreased by fifty percent and everyone is being asked to step up and help out because, naturally, the work load has not decreased. I have also been asked to take a key role in finding/training replacement and taking on more things. This is my moment... As such, I have picked out outfits this week with the knowledge that everyone will have their eyes on the remaining members of my department. This jumpsuit was an easy "yes" because it is professional but, comfortable. Also, there will be blazers! At least when I think I can handle the heat. I am ready to get to work and make sure that everything continues as needed (professionally and personally) and am confident that it will but, wish me luck anyway.

• Top: black and white jumpsuit, Mossimo via Ashby; black blazer, Juicy Couture, Ashby
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Nine West; silver wire flower earrings, MOMA 

I most recently wore this blazer here.

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

Function Over Form

Today's outfit was born from necessity. After the mini tornado yesterday (hail, no joke,) non-stop torrential down pour overnight, and ongoing showers this morning things are pretty gross. Despite the fact that on Mondays I try to like to keep things positive there is no way around that statement, it's a fact. Fortunately, that doesn't mean I can't motivate and make it work; I'm channeling a "storm" outfit (that's what boots and skinny pants are for after all) which is appropriate for what the forecast suggested.

You would assume that skinny pants were something readily available to me but, you would be mistaken. I recovered these from the tailoring pile because they needed hemming. Also, these pants are a size (or three two) too big. I'm hanging on them because they are stretchy and they work for now. Also, I'm tired of having to replace clothes but, I digress... I'm not sure how much longer these pants (and other items I'm too stubborn to let go of) will last. 

• Top: navy boatneck sweater, LOFT 
• Bottom: gray skinny pants, Mossimo
• Shoes & Accessories: black motorcycle rain boots, c/o Cougar AND leopard print flats, Seychelles (not pictured;) vintage silver earrings, my Abuela 

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

November 8, 2012: Winter Is Coming

Correction, winter is was here! After freezing my little piggies off trudging home through a few inches of snow in ballet flats I wanted to make sure I was prepared to stay warm during the morning commute. I went (way) against the rules and wore skinny pants to work so I could easily tuck them into my (secret commuter) black Ringo Star snow boots, courtesy of Cougar. I wasn't taking any chances! Of course by morning the sun had come out and by the time I left work in the evening all the snow had melted away. I suppose it's better to be over prepared... Was there snow in your area? Was it gone as quickly as it came?

• Top: teal cowl neck sweater, Mossimo for Target (same sweater different color here); gray pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein via Loehmanns (part of this suit)
• Bottom: black really skinny pants, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: black kitten heel pumps, Coach; coin pearl necklace, V'ta jewelry; coin pearl earrings, borrowed from Mom then altered by me; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

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

Don't forget to enter to win a $100 gift certificate from Shopbop!

Purchases & Acquisitions: September 2012

September was CRAZY as I'm sure you deduced from my silence. There was so much going on with work, life, Fashion Week, etc. that I barely had time to breathe, let alone shop. However, that doesn't mean I didn't squeeze in a little bit of time at the mall. Attending Fashion Week events brings different wardrobe pressures than everyday life. Even if you don't go to every event that you are invited to you still, at times, find yourself surrounded by industry professionals and fellow fashion lovers. These fabulous people have a keen eye for sartorial hits and misses. You don't want to be rocking a miss. The other challenge for me was the combination of still warm weather and an expectation of fall trends. I wasn't ready to bust out all my fall goodies at that time, it was still summer. For the most part I was able to make it work but, I picked up a couple of things at Target to fill in my Fashion Week wardrobe gaps.

Mossimo® Women's Floral Print Asymmetrical Dress

Mossimo® Natural Envelope Clutch

This high low-hem dress from Target was an excellent find; spot on for fall while being appropriate for the tepid weather we were having. I also grabbed this over-sized snakeskin clutch. While the dress is fantastic, the clutch has already been on my arm at a few late night events. Snakeskin goes with everything, end of story! How is this still a month of no purchases if I got these two items? Two words: gift card, thanks Mom and Dad!

Purchases & Acquisitions: July 2012

Last month while I was running around like a chicken without a head I was also able to get some shopping done... Yeah, that sounded weird to me too especially given my ability to avoid shopping. My main motivator was a gift certificate from eShakti.com that was burning a proverbial hole in my inbox and was about to expire. It would have been a shame to let that happen if there was something in their collection that I liked.

After searching my options and hemming/hawing over how much I was willing to pay out of my own pocket I picked this shirt. After everything it came out to $23.96. I think it's going to be perfect for the rest of summer and fall. To be really honest, I'll probably just rock it all year long because that is how I am despite "seasonal limitations" and then it will be worth it even more.

Bella Swan Blouson - eshakti.com

In addition, while out shopping at Target for a various gifts I was drawn into the shoe department by the siren song of some stylin' ballet flats. Even since I wore my old purple ballet flats to death I have been on the search for a replacement pair that wasn't going to break that bank. When I saw these I immediately tried them on and they were a good fit, So much so, that I picked up another pair of the Merona Madge Ballet Flat in Orange. If they had had the mustard yellow color in the store I might have picked those up as well.

Merona Madge Ballet Flat - Target

I did also notice these cute navy blue ballet flats and since they were a good fit as well I threw them on the pile. I really can't go wrong with ballet flats in my office and having different colors gives me the opportunity to spice things up a little. I'm sure navy and purple ballet flats will go over swimmingly, I'm not so sure about the orange ones but, I am willing to give it a try. Ballet flats are also a great way for me to transition back to "real shoes" after getting used to peep toes. Sigh... I wish summer was longer but, I digress.

Mossimo Ona Ballet Flat - Target

Going shoe crazy might have broken the bank if it wasn't for that fab Target gift card my parent's gave me for my birthday last year that keeps coming to the rescue. Seriously: Best. Gift. Ever.

April 10, 2012: Everybody, Everywhere Is In Pastels

I didn't forget about you yesterday. I was actually feeling a little under the weather and didn't make it into the office. Easter was a great day full of fun with friends and family and unnecessary amount of food... let me stress the unnecessary part. I ate until I was about to explode and was feeling pretty under the weather yesterday. In the future I need to remember to eat with my tummy not with my eyes, life lessons people...

On another note, I know pastels are one of the things that I can be wearing next week but, all the cool kids are rocking this trend and I don't want to be left out. Pastels are one of those things, on trend or not, that always remind me of spring, warmer weather, and all around good times. 

• Top: purple scoopneck sweater, GAP outlet (same shirt different color here, here, and here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty; black blazer, Ann Taylor via Melissa
• Bottom: gray, black, and white skirt (with pockets), Mossimo for Target
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Nine West; Amelia Earrings, Stella & Dot; silver watch, Fossil; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

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

February 16, 2012: Guilty Party?

This is my sad face; my I know I did something wrong face; my please don't judge me face. Ok, I'll stop being dramatic, I was just admiring my shoes, they are pretty awesome. Things have been busy but, I took pictures and the posts will be coming in slowly but surely! Stay tuned...

• Top: aqua cowl neck sweater, Mossimo for Target (same sweater different color here)
• Bottom:  black true straight pants, GAP
• Shoes & Accessories: silver hardware embellished flats, Preview via Nordstrom Rack; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

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

December 20, 2011: The Morning After

I am a trooper! Despite the state I found myself in after my company holiday party I still made it into work on time the next day sans (most) usual hangover symptoms. I can't say that I was in love with the outfit though... 

• Top: cream scoopneck sweater, LOFT (same sweater different color here, here, here, here, and here) with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: red a-line skirt, Ben Sherman
• Shoes & Accessories: gray suede-ish kitten heel shoes, Mossimo for Target; Hanes Silk Reflections courtesy of Hanes via Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab; Neverfull GM, Louis Vuitton/gift from BF

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed 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?