All The Dots

In my current work environment, I could show up to work in leggings or jeans everyday and not get a second look from my co-workers or supervisors. That practice is not something that I find to be acceptable especially, on an everyday basis. Most days, I keep it professional meaning a nice shirt, non-denim or non-spandex bottom, and probably a blazer or cardigan. Some days the combinations of mundane raiments are next level. Maybe it's the just the former "outfit of the day blogger" in me but, when an exceptional pairing happens it needs to be memorialized! This ensemble was inspired by the amazing shoes which I picked up on super clearance at a nearby outlet mall. While they are comfortable and could be worn everyday they are unique and don't go with everything in my wardrobe. The "one of a kind" finds often are but, I digress... While a solid colored dress or jumpsuit would be an obvious and mediocre choice I wanted to put together an ensemble that was as amazing as these shoes are.When considering items that I could pair together I ended up with a plethora of polka dots that worked perfectly, in my opinion.

• Top: Glad-Zooks! Bees Top, ModCloth; black and white tweed blazer, Ann Taylor
• Bottom: black pencil skirt with pockets, Old Navy 
• Shoes & Accessories: black and white polka dot pumps, Jason Wu; pearl earrings, Macys; 

I'm linking up with What I Wore, Watcha Wearing Wednesday, Style Me Wednesday

Teacher Dress

I'm sorry for the gap in posts; life happens, as you know. My personal style mission hasn't changed so, I am getting back to it... One of my biggest challenges this week so far was that I, kind of, hated (almost) every outfit that I put together over the weekend. So, instead of being able to post everything in advance, even pictures were taken, I ended up second guessing my ensembles, coming up with new (more awesome) outfits, and taking more pictures. Yes, it was as frustrating as it sounds. Now about those clothes...

This ensemble reminds me of something that a teacher would wear, right? Maybe I just had very fashion forward instructors when I was in school throughout the years. Either way, I was leading some trainings on Monday so, it was a teacher's outfit (technically.) This dress was my first experience with eShakti.com and I'm glad that it still fits (for the most part.) I didn't do much customization the first time around (other than adding pockets) but, the classic style and quality is something to note in the world of fast-fashion that we live in.

• Top: red blue bird printed dress, c/o eShakti.com; gray plaid blazer, Jones New York
• Shoes & Accessories: black peep-toe wedges, Dr. Scholl's; gray labradorite earrings, Pennyweights

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

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for Nailipop manicure strips!

Half Day

Tomorrow is my test. I haven't been studying as much as I would have hoped so, it's cram time! I'm heading into work super (duper) early to get some last minute things out of the way for next week and then I'm turning around and heading back home to Starbucks to study my flash cards and take some practice tests. I am feeling 60% percent confident at this point so hopefully after all that I will be more so... I'll let you know how it goes, wish me luck.

While it is casual Friday, as well as a half day, I really wasn't feeling a denim ensemble. Instead I was feeling inspired by the season and my new found ability to wear white so, forget you (for now,) denim. While I don't strictly adhere to these unspoken known fashion rules they are in my mind from younger years when (I feel like) it was more of a "thing." Do you wear white before Memorial Day? How about after Labor Day? You rebel... Also, this is how grown ups mix patterns.

• Top: navy and white striped shirt, Christopher & Banks
• Bottom: cream and navy printed skirt, Libertine for Target
• Shoes & Accessories: brown top-siders, Kimmie Smith for Sebago c/o Sebago/Robert Verdi's Luxe Lab; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co. 

I most recently wore this shirt here.

I'm linking up with Fab Favorites, Favorite Fashion Friday, Passion 4 Fashion, and Casual Friday.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for Nailipop manicure strips!

April 5, 2011: Multiple Choice Question

You may think that you have seen this sweater before but, you would be mistaken you might have seen it's sister or maybe it's rando cousin but, this sweater is all new (to you at least.) As I've said before: I'm all about buying multiples. When you find something that works for you at a good price, why not? This sweater was no exception although, it is was a challenge for me to resist the preppy allure of argyle in general. Do you have a favorite clothing item that you buy in multiples? Or when you find something that is perfect for you do you snatch up as many as you can?

• Top: black, gray, and white argyle sweater, Merona for Target (same sweater different color here, here, and here.)
• Bottom: gray plaid pencil skirt, AB Studio from Mom via Kohl's
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Nine West; pearl earrings, pearl earrings, birthday gift from Mom via Macy's; purple tote bag, Coach (not pictured)

Items from this outfit and previously seen and remixed in Year 1 here and here.

September 17, 2010: Stripes and Flowers

Sorry for the late post. It really has been quite a week and this is the earliest chance I got to let you see my outfit today. The sad thing is it isn't over; I have to go to work tomorrow (yes, I know... it's Saturday) then it's my grandmother's 89th birthday celebration (Happy Birthday Mamá!) and some birthday gift shopping with BF for his little cousin (she's turning 16 and I'm thinking a little blue box might be in order) But, I digress... As I have discovered this week stripes go with EVERYTHING so, I decided to keep it going today by layering a long sleeved striped t-shirt under a short sleeved flower patterned one... I think it translated well to casual friday.

• Top: floral print t-shirt, Vera Wang for Kohl's; black and white striped long sleeved t-shirt, Proenza Schouler for Target 
• Bottom: Marisa jeans, LOFT
• Shoes & Accessories: purple suede-ish ballet flats, Mossimo for Target; yellow alley bag

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

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September 2, 2010: Tone It Down

I had to run to work early this morning (with a fever, FUN) so, the posting had to wait until now and I'm tired so, yeah... I like the simple neutral color palate and the pattern mixing. I think I'm getting better at it! I thought about accessorizing with a killer pair of red heels but, comfort won and I went with flats. Hopefully tomorrow I can be a little more exciting and verbose.

• Top: gray camo/animal print ruffle button down shirt, LOFT 
• Bottom: black pinstripe suit skirt, Calvin Klein via SYMS
• Shoes & Accessories: red Bridget Thong Sandal, LOFT/gift from mom (same shoe different color here); red coral earrings, mall kiosk in California; white Hardcore Dior tote, Christian Dior via outlet

 

Items from this outfit are previsouly seen here and here:

August 11, 2010: I've Been Keeping A Secret...

If you take one look at this picture you'll know what it is... My hair is crazy curly! I have had it straight for about two years since my graduation from college and today is a first day in a long time that I am letting it free. I didn't straighten it because I dislike my curls, I in fact LOVE them! I did it because I chopped all my hair off (or to my chin) and liked it better straight. I actually think it's still a bit too short in all it's curly glory but, I couldn't resist leaving it natural once I realized that the keratin had finally started to wear out and (I'll be honest) was feeling a little too lazy to blow it out last night! There are still a few pieces in the front that are straight so I just pulled them back.

Maybe my no hassle attitude is because my schedule is packed today: employer breakfast at a local college, goodbye lunch with one of my fav interns, regular work stuff, and a picnic dinner tonight at Boscobel while seeing Taming of the Shrew with family at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival. I will be floating through it all in these forgotten shoes! I really wish I had used them sooner, they are so light and comfortable much like their predecessors (which I never owned a pair of) but,  less scary. Plus, I love the fact that I could get a little pattern mixing in! Polka dots and tweed anyone?

• Top: red tank top with rosette embellishment, LOFT with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: black and white tweed skirt, thrifted/no tag
• Shoes & Accessories: black and white polka dot wedges, Very Volatile via Mandee; my abuela's vintage silver hoop earrings; black Spy Bag, Fendi

Weekend Wear: Mixing It Up!

I would like to think that I am a fashion forward person but, after perusing a plethora of similar fashion blogs, I am seeing areas where I can push the envelope even more! What are your biggest style challenges? How do you overcome them? Case and point for me, mixing patterns. Do you mix it up? If so what are your tips and tricks?

I understood the concept of pattern mixing but, I still couldn't make it work consistently. Most times I attempted it the outfit didn't look right to me and I gave up. That is, except for yesterday when I successfully paired stripes and polka dots! I think this works best because the pattern in the top is subtle. Next time, bolder patterns...

• Top: navy tank top with silver stripes, GAP
• Bottom: blue polka dot skirt, New York & Company
• Shoes & Accessories: silver beaded flip flops, Target; Tiffany & Co. silver bead earrings; yellow alley bag (not pictured)