Purchases and Acquisitions: November 2011

I didn't forget about November purchases! There have just been lots of other things to focus on at the moment. Also, I was finding it difficult to own up to the fact that I purchased something this month when I was at Re/Dress NYC for the last time. It's crazy, I'm not necessarily trying not to shop I'm just trying to be aware of my shopping so I don't go overboard. The idea of buying something for no real reason other than that I liked it and I wanted it doesn't fit in with that thought process. During this overall experience I have become so stringent about my shopping ban that it was a hard thing to reconcile the $36.00 expense but, in the end I love dress so, it all worked out!

I also got a great Missoni shirt that I found buried in the sale rack at Target and the leopard Albertus Swanepole hat that lots of bloggers have. It's super stylish and I love it but, at the same time I feel like I should be a pimp, I digress...I'm still milking a Target gift card that my parents got me for my birthday so technically these were gifts!!

This month BF bought me some emergency pants from the GAP... it's a long story but, I needed them and the only option was the GAP. Don't get me wrong, I love their pants they just tend to be on the more expensive side of things when you don't have coupons of time to browse the sales rack. BF came to the rescue! He also got me some pants which I have already worn a few times and a fab dress which I am saving for a special occasion. No worries, you'll see it soon, like next week.

Don't forget to enter the $100 Shopbop Gift Card Giveaway!

Don't forget to enter to win the Spanish Steps dress from Shabby Apple!

November 9, 2011: Far From Favorite

Sorry for the delay, I wasn't falling off the face of the earth again I promise... there were posts! But, let's have a moment of honesty about what did happen in terms of outfit posts: I kind of HATED Wednesday's look. You might ask, "Why would you wear it out of the house then? Also, why do you not like it, I think it looks ok!" to which I would answer "It's a long story..."

Baisically, I picked out all of my outfits for the week but, didn't end up taking pictures in advance or trying anything on so when Wednesday morning rolled aroung and this outfit was a FAIL I didn't really have time to change into something else. Why was it a fail? First of all the shirt was way too short which wouldn't have been a huge problem if the pants hadn't been super tight. Lastly, while these shoes were a great find initally they have stretched to the point where they are difficult to walk in as in, I trip over my own feet! I might have to say goodbye to them unless someone knows how to shrink shoes... 

Sufficed to say I was uncomfortable and will never be putting those items together again beyond my personal style challenge. What do you do when your outfit is uncomfortable do you run out at lunch and buy something new, go home and change, or tuff it out for the rest of the day?

• Top: red embellished t-shirt, Van Heusen outlet (same shirt different color here); tank top underneath for the modesty; gray wool blazer, Isaac Mizrahi for Target (part of this suit)
• Bottom: brown pinstripe pants, New York and Company (not be confused with these)
• Shoes & Accessories: teal leather flats, ALDO via Re/Dress NYC; silver and gold teardrop earrings, V'ta Jewelry, purple tote bag, Coach 

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

November 7, 2011: Back To School

The time of year where everyone heads back to the classroom has passed or so I thought; I am going back to college today! Let me explain... while working with an assortment of local colleges to set up recruiting events for my company I naturally reached out to my alma mater. After having many lovely conversations with the people in career services one of them invited me back to speak at an event about job search tactics for upcoming liberal arts graduates. I was more than happy to oblige!

On a related note, this dress makes me feel like a teacher (completely unintentional, I swear). I think my 7th grade teacher had one just like it... she had serious style! I got this dress during one of my final trips to Re/Dress NYC. They will be closing their doors in a few weeks and I wanted to take advantage of this great store while I can. I took my Mom because she has never been and needed to experience it before the final party. The dress had some wicked shoulder pads (which I removed) and after seeing it in pictures I think it needs to be hemmed but, there was something about the weird pattern (and pockets) that drew me in. Perhaps it was hypnotic suggestion, it's the perfect pattern for that; You are getting sleepy... You really love this dress... Excellent!

• Top: black and white checker print dress (with pockets), Studio Collection via Re/Dress with a tank top underneath for the modesty; black blazer, Ann Taylor via Melissa
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Candies via Kohl's; black belt, from this dress; pearl earrings, gift from Mom/Macy's; purple tote bag, Coach

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!!

Purchases and Aquisitions: May 2011

I went shopping this month again which might seen crazy to you since I broke the bank last month but, I had a good reason: $20 vintage dress sale at Re/Dress NYC. Say it with me, "$20 vintage dress." You know you would at least go look and when I did I found something that I liked. You'll see it when the time is right... probably really soon!

May is one of those months where it might be challenging to avoid shopping, $20 vintage dresses aside. All retailers are looking to unload the last of the spring wares to make room for the fresh summer stuff and Memorial Day gives them the perfect boost. I avoided the mall like the plague, it was much more fun to be outside anyway... 

I have also inherited alot of hand me downs from my Mom this month. She is going through a major wardrobe change and getting rid of things she doesn't want or can't wear right now. I will be specific about them when I wear them in outfits but, at this point I'm just going to show them to you in pile form since there's a whole lot of stuff going on and it's easier. How was your May? Did you find any great deals or avoid shopping all together? 

January 20, 2011: Fighting The Man

And by the man I mean the weather. I will not wear boots everyday this week, darn it! Since today is going to be the only day where crazy precipitation is not forcasted, it will have to be today. Tomorrow morning it's back tot he same old winter thing... How are you fighting "the man"?

• Top: purple rosette embellished t-shirt, LOFT (same shirt different color here and here)
• Bottom: gray pants, New York and Company
• Shoes & Accessories: teal leather flats, Aldo via Re/Dress NYC; gray shell earrings, gift from BF's mom; brown suede purse with silver leaf embellishments, GAP

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

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December 7, 2010: Never Before Seen

I can't say that I was particularly inspired when I threw this outfit together yesterday morning by anything other than the cold outside and the need to cover up. The temperatures have taken a divebomb into freezing (Ok, maybe I'm being a little dramatic) and I don't care what anyone says we are officially in winter! I did try to punch things up with pops of opposing colors, i.e. teal shoes and multi colored earrings, so the outfit wasn't so drab.

You may remember these items from any outfits that I have worn before and that's because I haven't. Yes people, there are still items in my closet that you have not seen! I know, it's hard for me to believe as well and I'm the one whose putting all these outfits together. That is just a true testament to how much clothes I have but, also that we are in a new season. Frankly, I would not have been wearing sweaters and the like in the middle of the spring when I began this endeavor. Whew, now I don't feel so bad...

• Top: red long sleeved t-shirt with corsage embellishment, LOFT with a tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: brown pinstripe pants, New York and Company (not be confused with these)
• Shoes & Accessories:  teal leather flats, Aldo via Re/Dress NYC (similar shoe, different color here); multi-stone earrings, street fair in NYC; gray Le-Dix/motorcycle bag, Balenciaga

October 1, 2010: I've Got Minimalism

First of all I would like to thank all the lovely ladies who joined me in this challenge especially: Frances Joy from Mad Dress Game, Shey from Modesty is Pretty, and Lyddiegal from Chic on the Cheap! The outfits they came up with were truly inspired and completely trendy. Just more proof that you don't need to break the bank to dress stylishly, what you really need to do is head to your closet!

I feel like the outfit I have chosen to wrap up the challenge is a little anticlimactic but, it's going to be wet and gross outside all day and I have some cleaning organizing to do at work, sorry. Also, I'm still stuck in the stairwell after my escape attempt yesterday. It didn't go as well as I planned and exciting clothes is hard to come by... but, I digress. I think this look falls under the minimalism trend for sure, what could be more basic than a white tee and jeans? I am so excited for the weekend (even though it is chock full of things errand to run) do you have any fun plans?

• Top: white rosette embellished t-shirt, LOFT (same shirt different color here)
• Bottom: denim jeggings, LOFT/birthday gift from Mom
• Shoes & Accessories: teal leather flats, Aldo via Re/Dress NYC (same shoe different color here); gray scarf, H&M; black spy bag, Fendi

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

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Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

Purchases: September 2010

This (past) month I only bought two things. The fabulous teal ALDO flats (same shoe different color and on sale here) from my trip Re/Dress NYC for Fashion's Night Out. They were only $12.60 with the discount they had going on that night. The other thing I bought was a pair of beautiful natural stone earrings from a street fair in Morningside Heights this past weekend. You haven't seen them yet but, they are really beautiful and were a steal at only $2.00!! Total spent $14.60 for an awesome pair of shoes that I'm sure I will get a ton of use out of and great earrings which will be utilized soon... Honestly I'm not even sure that I should count the earrings because I only said I was going to limit my spending on clothes. Should that include accessories as well, what do you think? Either way, I think I got alot of bang for my buck and am happy with what I got!

Don't forget to enter the giveaway!

September 14, 2010: Pattern Mixing Compulsion

Today I am back in the office. The craziness of last week (and prospective craziness of this week) really pushed me over the edge in terms of my stress level and the sudden cold weather kinda kicked my butt. You know... the sniffling, headache, congestion, I have a cold but, not really jazz just because of a slight drop in temperature and compromised immune system. Lame!

I can't say I'm happier to be here then home but, you gotta do what you gotta do. Honestly, I think the stress of the knowledge that work was piling up would have made my cold worse so in some ways it's good that I sucked it up and came in! This week might involve some crazy hours so I apologize in advance for the off schedule (or highly scheduled) posting. When I was picking out my outfit this morning I was seriously intent on matching this floral patterned shirt with a patterned skirt. I know you can't see it but, there is a very subtle plaid happening in the bottom half of my outfit. That would be a great theme week...

• Top: yellow floral patterned sweater, Dana Buchman for Kohl's
• Bottom: gray plaid pencil skirt, AB Studio from Mom via Kohl's
• Shoes & Accessories: teal leather flats, Aldo via Re/Dress NYC (same shoe different color here) I love that I am already getting to put these shoes to good use!; coin pearl necklace, V'ta; silver bead earrings, Tiffany & Co.; black spy bag, Fendi

Items from this outfit are previously seen and remixed here:

Night Out: Fashion's Night Out

This past Friday was Fashion's Night Out, as I'm sure you know, and there were so many options for events to attend/places to shop! Did you attend any of the festivities? I opted to avoid the sheer insanity of the Manhattan events and instead attended Re/Dress NYC's Count My Curves Event in Brooklyn! If you didn't know, Re/Dress is is a premiere vintage & resale clothing boutique specializing in sizes 14+ (vintage: 10+). It’s also a buy/sell/trade establishment allowing women to sell clothing for cash or store credit, which is an environmental and recession friendly way to refresh a wardrobe.

I thought of wearing an outfit in the morning that might transition well from day to evening but, because everything has been so hectic at work I figured a clean slate for the night was in order! There's no fun to be had when you are feeling grimy or reminded of the stresses of the day...

• Top: silver color block tank top, Simply Vera by Vera Wang via Kohl's; gray flyaway cardigan, New York and Company
• Bottom: black really skinny pants, GAP/gift from BF
• Shoes and Accessories: black pumps, Candies via Kohl's; my abuela's vintage silver hoop earrings; silver sequins embellished clutch, French Connection UK

Here are some more pictures of the evening and the goody bag swag! Please excuse the crappy quality they were taken with my Droid:

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Re/Dress was offering 10% off your purchase when you filled out a card petitioning some select big name designers to start making clothing for the average woman so I couldn't help but, take advantage and pick something out... The clothing selection was immense but, I ended up with this adorable pair of teal flats originally from ALDO. It was the color that initally attracted me to them but, the comfort that made me pick them up! It's like walking on clouds... I found the same shoes in black for more than 3x what I paid so I'm feeling pretty good about that!