Tweed Day

If you didn't already know, I have a thing for tweed. I will wear it whatever the season and don't necessarily limit it to clothing items (see shoes.) I'm not sure where the attraction comes from but, that's ok. Maybe it's the way that tweed can squeeze lots of colors into one item of clothing or how classic it is (two words: Chanel Suit.) Whatever the reason I have come to terms with my strong affinity for looking like a librarian or a professor. I'll draw the line at shoulder patches but, I digress...

When I saw this tweed blazer on the sale rack at ReDress in Brooklyn many moons ago, before they closed, I was instantly drawn to it (shocker.) To my surprise the blazer had a matching skirt (AKA a suit) but, in all years since I purchased it I haven't ever worn it. It's a shame since both pieces were a little tight when I bought them and are a little lot loose now... I'm not sure how much longer I'm going to be able to pull both pieces off because wearing things that are too big on you is similarly awkward to wearing things that are too small., life lessons.

• Top: ivory tank top, LOFT; greed tweed blazer, H&M via ReDress
• Bottom: black pencil skirt, Old Navy
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, bflexible by Bandolino; mother of pearl earrings, Elizabeth Showers Vintage

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

Motivational Monday

So last week worked really well in terms of picture taking Sunday, getting all of the awesome posts out on time, and scheduling a sprinkling of social media posting. Yup, crushed it! This weekend didn't work out the way I wanted it to. Besides Mother's Day being this weekend I find that there normally isn't enough time to do all the things I would hope to get done in a weekend. It becomes a balancing act of social obligations, chores (mulching anyone?) and other personal responsibilities. How about you?

No wonder Mondays have a bad rep! After coming out of the weekend where you may or may not have accomplished all the goals you set out for yourself it makes sense that you don't want to tear yourself out of bed and go to work. Maybe that's just me but, when you think about that how is that different that any day of the week? I multitask, as I'm sure most of you do, and run errands during lunch or after work able to get up the next morning ready to go, more or less... Maybe if we approach Mondays with a more "ass kicking" "can do" attitude  like other days of the week it will kick the proverbial case of the Mondays to the curb. So, that's what I'm going to try this week: I am super excited to get to work this morning and get things done!

• Top: purple sleeveless sweater, New York & Company; brown blazer, LOFT
• Bottom: yellow fresh bloom pencil skirt, LOFT
• Shoes & Accessories: brown pumps, Candies via Kohls; mother of pearl earrings, Elizabeth Showers Vintage

Weekend Wear: International Gem & Jewelry Show

Today I took my mother to the International Gem and Jewelry Show in White Plains. We had a great time! If you have nothing going on tomorrow you should totally head to the Westchester County Center and check it out. With prices starting as low as $2.00 there is something for everyone! You can also come across some fantastic one of a kind pieces like the ring my mother got me, love it! 

After we went to the jewelry show we grabbed lunch at one of my fav spots, Panera. I can't get enough of the creamy tomato soup. Mom took the outfit pictures today, it was an interesting process. She is half a foot shorter than me so the first few pictures were from completely different than BF who is taller than me. We worked it out! Have you done anything fun this weekend so far?

• Top:  lilac and white striped t-shirt, LOFT; khaki green blazer, GAP
• Bottom: denim pencil skirt, Torrid
• Shoes & Accessories: brown topsiders, Kimmie Smith for Sebago courtesy of Sebago via Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab; mother of pearl earrings, Elizabeth Showers Vintage; gray scarf, H&M; mockingjay pin, NECA via eBay; citrine and sterling silver ring, Designs by Terra via International Gem and Jewelry Show/gift from Mom; purple patent leather tote, Coach

September 6, 2011: Setting An Example

This week is going to be just as crazy as last week when it comes to work but, I'm sending a shout out to Labor Day for making it a little shorter!

Today I am kicking it off with the first day of New Employee Orientation for six people! That might not sound like alot but, generally we only start one-three new peeps at a time so doubling the number and having them in different groups is going to be interesting. Also, did I mention the orientation is seven days long? No? Well, now you know what I'm going to be doing at the office for the rest of the week among other things but, I digress... Since dress code is always a question that I am asked I figured why not just lead by example today (at least.) I'm not really the biggest fan of full suits and would much prefer to wear the pieces as separates but, that would miss the mark.

Tonight I don't have anything going but, the same cannot be said for the rest of the week. I got invited to a few FNO events and I am excited to attend and shamelessly hand out business cards network with other stylish bloggers. The challenge for the rest of the week will be wearing things to the office that are still stylish enough for Fashion's Night Out without a major evening outfit overhaul since I won't be heading home in between to change. Do you have any FNO plans? We might bump into each other...

• Top: white ruffle button down blouse, LOFT; gray pinstripe blazer, Calvin Klein via Loehmanns/gift from BF
• Bottom: gray pinstripe pencil skirt, Calvin Klein via Loehmanns/gift from BF
• Shoes & Accessories: black peep toe wedges, Payless/gift from BF; pink chalcedony and mother of pearl necklace, Gem Cove/birthday gift from Mom; pink chalcedony and mother of pearl earrings,  Gem Cove/birthday gift from Mom; gray and black purse, Pietro Alessandro 

My Stella & Dot pick:

Femme Fatale Necklace

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

August 11, 2011: Awkward Conversations

What's so funny? Well BF was having a little trouble standing up straight to take this picture. I think it was a combination of tiredness and alcohol. No he's not a lush but, once and a while he will go out with his friends from work and have a few. Mix that with a long day of work and it's pretty funny but, a little awkward if you are trying to do something important like take blog pictures, have a conversation, or stand up straight...

Speaking of work I had a really strange conversation with my director about the fact that I looked tired and haven't been my normal self. To which I responded that I was a bit tired and since I have been taking new medications and vitamins I speculated that was the reason. She said she understood and said that it showed in my appearance and that people noticed. She also said that I should really push to appear/dress more professionally because my department was the face of the company and we needed to represent (insert gang hand sign here) The final remark was that I should walk around dressing/acting like I owned the place. It was very strange and very awkward. I think I need to buy more suits... What would you take from that conversation?

• Top: ivory tank top, LOFT/Mom's closet clean-out; blue embellished cardigan, Merona for Target/b-day gift from BF's parents
• Bottom: gray pants, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: black peep toe wedges, Payless/gift from BF; white mother of pearl earrings, Elizabeth Showers; gray and black purse, Pietro Alessandro

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