January 3, 2011: New Year, New Shoes

I feel like I haven't been at work for at least two or more weeks, how about you? With all the craziness of the holidays and snowmageddon it's only actually been about 10 days, my internal clock must be busted. I wonder who you call to get those fixed...

Today the snow is melting but, I really wanted to bust out my new boots. Santa was very kind to me this Christmas and left these lovelies waiting for me under the tree:

Since those didn't fit I exchanged them for these:

They have the best support and actually fit my larger than average calves. Also the delicate floral embossing around the cuff is a lovely subtle detail. On top of the aesthetics these boots are environmentally friendly with a 100% recycled lining and aged oak wood heel on top of a Green Rubber outsole made with 42% recycled material. I wish they were a little taller but, am excited to have found such an ideal pair of riding boots after my long search. I can't wait to style them other ways! How would you wear these fabulous boots?

• Top: red floral print top, Old Navy; teal long sleeved shirt, Van Heusen (same shirt different color here)
• Bottom: black pinstripe suit skirt, Calvin Klein via SYMS
• Shoes & Accessories: black Madison Heights Tall Boots, Timberland via Santa; In-Power Line Super High Shaping Sheers, Spanx; floral wire earrings, MOMA/gift from an old friend; purple tote bag, Coach

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

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December 20, 2010: Patience Is A Virtue

I'm sure you are all well aware of my desire for a white lace top. If not you're obviously new, Welcome! Just so we're all on the same page... I have been wanting a while lace top since the fall but, since I am trying to curb my spending and utilize what I have I didn't cave to my wants. That is, until last weekend... kind of.

I went last minute Christmas shopping on behalf of my Dad because I had some free time and he had other important stuff on his plate. I kept it local with cash in hand and a very specific list of things to get (literally). I went to Target and while I was digging through the sale racks I came across the quintessential off-white lace shirt; it seemed like it waiting for me to find it! On top of that the shirt was on super sale ($23 originally marked down to $5) so I tried it on to make sure it wasn't some sort of shopping mirage and when it fit, I threw it on the pile of stuff so I could continue my shopping.

Normally, I don't purchase things for myself around Christmas (even pre 260 Days, No Repeats) because I always end up getting myself something that someone had already gotten for me. But, since this was obtained on Daddy's dime I'm counting it as an early Christmas gift! Thanks, Dad.

• Top: cream lace top, Merona for Target with a red tank top underneath, for the modesty.
• Bottom: black striped pencil skirt, LOFT via Melissa
• Shoes & Accessories: black pumps, Steve Madden; In-Power Line Super High Shaping Sheers, Spanx; pearl earrings, birthday gift from Mom via Macy's; black Spy Bag, Fendi

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 13, 2010

Dress Your Best Week is in the home stretch and I am still going! Today it's all about the comprehensive me and my hourglass shape. While I won't break down my exact measurements for you (it isn't about the numbers) I will say that my hips and bust are more or less equal and my waist is 9-10 inches smaller than that. These measurements are in essence what defines the hourglass body shape.

Many women dress their body to achieve this overall look and I am so happy (and apparently lucky) to have it appear naturally. I never realized how statistically uncommon a true hourglass shape is but, I digress... I'm talking shoulder pads to make narrow torsos appear more substantiated or boot cut jeans to give straight and narrow girls a more curvy shape. The list could go on but, you get my drift. I feel like the most universally flattering way to dress (or fake) an hourglass shape is with a wrap or faux wrap dress so that's what I'm doing today!

• Top: brown quintessential Diane VonFurstenberg wrap dress, via the outlet with a red tank top underneath for the modesty
• Bottom: Spanx
• Shoes & Accessories: silver Issac Mizrahi gladiator sandals, Target; gold and mixed metal earrings, gift from Natalia/ModCloth; purple Coach bag

April 14, 2010

This afternoon I have a job fair to go to at Manhattan College. It is notorious (in my mind) for the ridiculous amount of stairs that you have to walk up to to get to the event space from the parking lot. I think they should provide a shuttle, I have a large box of promotional materials to carry after all! But, I digress... comfy shoes are a must today and so is dressing to impress to an extent. You want to fool, ahem, I mean convince the students that they want to work at your company (especially as unpaid HR interns with me) so looking professional and chic doesn't hurt! ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I also have to give a portion of New Employee Orientation at my job in the morning. I address some company policies and benefit so, I need to be taken seriously and appear authoritative-ish. Also, when I get to the part about dress code I like to point at what I'm wearing and say, "like this". Sorry about the crappy picture quality, my camera battery died and I had to take the first one with my phone...

• Top: navy Catherine Malandrino jersey knit dress via Loehmanns (so comfy) and a brown and black zebra print cardi from New York and Company
• Bottom: Would Spanx count here? Sure, why not!
• Shoes & Accessories: silver hardware embellished flats from Nordtrom Rack, my abuela's vintage silver hoop earrings (not pictured), and my yellow alley purse. I also added a black belt after I took the pictures because it kinda tied the whole look together. It was from Kohls with these pants.