Elf Shoes

Shirt - Macys; Skirt - NY & Co (thrifted); Tights - Hue (Macys); Shoes - Chinese Laundry (thrifted); Belt - Dots

Hubs and I are goofy.  His nickname for me is Goose.  Because I'm a silly Goose.  We like to IM each other 'I love you' through other words that would look like you were saying 'I love you' if you whispered them.  Olive Juice.  Elephant Hues.  Elf Shoes. 

When I brought these shoes home from the consignment shop, Hubs asked me why I brought home Elf Shoes.  I love these olive green boots!!  And I love you, too, Hubs!

Girly Girl

Shirt - Ralph Lauren (Macy's - FREE); Tank - Macy's; Skirt - Macy's (FREE); Belt - NY & Co; Shoes - Clarks; Necklace - Premiere

Except for a short period in my life, where Curt Cobain was big and men's flannel shirts and Chuck's were my closet staples (who DIDN'T go through a phase in High School?), I've always been very feminine in the way that I dress. I've always been into makeup.  But I've never considered myself a 'girly girl'.  Feminine, sexy, but not girly.  I hate pastels, I hang mostly with guys, I'm an engineer for Goodness Sake!  However something about this pretty uber-girly floral that made me use my rewards dollars to make it my own.  And I couldn't help but pair it with the pink tank and green skirt.  Husby told me I looked like a flower.  And surprisingly, I was okay with that.

Pretty in Plaid

I was in a lumberjack kind of mood this week. Here are a few ways that I styled my plaid camp shirts into business casual attire.

Shirt - Target; Cami - Old Navy; Skirt - Macy's; Belt - Thrifted; Necklace - Macy's; Shoes - Payless

Right: Shirt - Target; Cardi - NY & Co (thrifted); Skirt - Gap (maternity); Necklace - JC Penny; Shoes - Madden (TJ Maxx)

Been a Long Time

 Shirt - Matthew Morrison (Macy's); Skirt - Spiegel; Belt and Bracelets- Thrifted; Boots - Charlotte Russe (thrifted); Earrings - Steinmart

I've been a bad, bad blogger.  It's been weeks.  But a fabulous new promotion led to tons of extra responsibility and a trip to corporate headquarters for training.  And NO time for blogging.  Now that life is back to normal, I'm back to getting my pictures taken in the morning :-)

Dress - NY & Co (thrifted); Sweater - Target; Shoes - Payless; Necklace and Bracelets - Thrifted

There is a preview of 'Hall Pass' where Jenna Fisher is wearing a dress much like the one I'm wearing.  In fact, when I first saw the preview I thought 'I really love that dress'.  So imagine my elation when I was perusing through my local Plato's Closet and saw a dress from NY & Co, in my size (for $8), with the same print and pallette.  Of course, fate had brought us together.  The dress is light enough to be worn in summer, but the color pallette also lends to its ability to be worn with tights and boots in the fall.  Bonus!

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Cardi - NY & Co (thrifted), Belt  - Thrifted; Shoes - Mossimo (Thrifted); Capris - Gap (maternity);  Shirt - NY  & Co; Earrings and Bracelet - Steinmart

This outfit was part of my attempt to find yet another non-christmassy red/green combo.  This shirt is a pale bluish green, so I guess it could technically be classified at teal, but I thought I'd give it a shot in my ever present quest for things not black or blue that go with red.  Sadly, my beautiful tomato NY&Co cropped cardi got caught on something (not really sure what) this day and got a ginormous hole in the back. It has since been retired (to the garbage) as it was a hole that I could not repair.  I searched for months for the perfect red cardi.  Now I am again on the quest. :-(

The shoes support my theory that every good shoe eventually ends up at Platos.  I saw these shoes on Target.com for around $25 dollars.  Although adorable, and I still on my mind weeks later, the words 'I'll wait until they show up at Plato's' actrually came out of my mouth in my externalized internal monologue.  And lo and behold, around 3 months later, they showed up at Plato's in my size.  Our union was meant to be.  And they are surprisingly comfortable.  A match made in heaven.

Take On Me

Shirt - Old Navy (thrifted); Pants - Gap (maternity - gifted); Earrings - Steinmart; Ring - NY&Co; Shoes - Nine West (thrifted)

This is not an optical illusion.  This is not a graphic editing trick. My shoes have lips on them.  Not just lips, magenta and blue lips.  These shoes make me think of the 80's and, more specifically, the A-Ha video for Take On Me.  No, I don't think there were any crazy colored lips in that video.  I just said it made me think of it.

This shirt is another on of the freebie's I took a chance on in the Plato's Clearance grab bag event.  A chance well taken, as I think it is very flattering.  And I discovered this weekend as I was packing for a camping trip, that I don't really own any khaki's or jeans that aren't maternity.  Not because regular ones don't fit me.  But because I rarely wear either.  I was gifted a bunch of both from my bestie's older sister who also has freakishly long legs and I never really saw the point of buying non-maternity ones since I don't wear them enough to warrant.  Plus, all her stuff was from the Gap, and who makes better jeans than the Gap??  I wear them proudly.

A Different Grape

 Sweater - NY & Co (thrifted); Skirt - Anne Klein (thifted); Shoes - gift; Necklace and Earrings - Macys; Ring and Bracelet - Premiere

I usually stay away from pinks in the makeup department because of my coloring, but I have a lipstick that I got in my 'free gift with purchase' at the Clinique counter called 'A Different Grape' which I just love.  It's a great mulberry/raspberry color, just like this cardi, and I wear the lipstick any time I wear this color.  See..it looks really good. 

Mixing this skirt with the green polka dot shirt made me think that other bright stand out colors would look great with this skirt, too.  Next maybe orange....or electric blue....or 'hot yellow'...the possibilities are endless.

Color of Summer

 Shirt - Lane Bryant (thrifted); Skirt - Spiegel; Shoes - thrifted; Belt - Dress Barn; Necklace and Bangle - Premiere

Sweater and Skirt - NY & Co (thrifted); Shoes - Payless; Necklace - Premiere

Yellow is the color of the summer.  Not any summer, but this summer.  And not because it is the color of the sun.  Because all my life I have been told that yellow is not a good color for me because I am so pale.  This summer, I threw caution to the wind and started wearing it anyway.  Screw my complexion - I rock out some yellow. 

Bag of Free Clothes

 Dress - Chaps (thrifted); Shoes - Payless; Necklace and Belt - Steinmart

My local Plato's Closet had a clearance sale recently.  $15 was all it would cost for each plastic shopping bag (smallish) that you filled with clearance items.  I was pleased to find that the clearance items were all sorted and in their own section.  I was not pleased to find the limited amount of items in my size that were on clearance.  Well, I guess I shouldn't have been two surprised...it is Plato's Closet.  But I digress.  I found this sundress pretty early on and for the cute plaid pattern and good construction of the dress, I would have paid $15 for it.  Which basically made everything else in my bag free.  I've already worn the dress twice since the sale, so it was definitely worth it.  While not everything in my bag ended up being a winner (I took some long shots since they were essentially free...I'll probably end up donating them), I ended up with quite a few really nice pieces in addition to the dress.

Shirt and Scarf- NY & Co (thrifted); Skirt - Ralph Lauren (Macy's) ; Shoes - Payless; Belt - NY & Co

This purple sweater was one of my gem 'freebies' from the bag.  It totally matched the scarf I had thrifted from there last year and is pretty seasonless, as I see myself putting this over a buttondown and wearing with a skirt and boots in the winter as well.  In fact, most of the items I own from NY&Co have been thrifted from this Plato's.  I have a theory that there is a plus sized teenager whose gramdma buys here beautiful conservative things from NY & Co, but she would rather wear flannels, tees and tanks, so she brings them in to trade. Did I mention that many of the items have NEVER been worn and still have original tags??

I don't really care how they got there, though.  I'll take it!

Fit to Be Tied

Dress - Merona (thrifted); Cardi - NY & Co (thrifted); Bracelets - Thrifted; Earrings - NY & Co; Sandals - Clarks

I loved the bright floral print of this dress, mostly because I can go so many ways with color and have a different outfit each time. Last worn with baby blue, this halter dress, which I figured was not work appropriate, found me quite comfortable in the office.  Sweater removed, I was nice and cool on my walk to campus for class.  The only thing I don't like about the dress is that the cinched waist is courtesy of a belt of the same materials that feeds through the waist and adds no contrast when a card is worn with it.  I think next time I'll try covering the tie with a wide belt.

Smocks are NOT Just for Painters

 Shirt - TJ Maxx; Vest - Thrifted; Pants - Macy's; Shoes - Jessica Simpson (TJ Maxx); Necklace and Earrings - Steinmart; Ring - NY & Co

I don't really have that much to say about this outfit aside from it was super comfy and I loved the way this smock shirt flows and covers a bunch while still being feminine.  It even has pockets to store my paintbrushes or sticky fingers and paperclips.  I love dresses with pockets...I super love Tunics with pockets!

New 'Do

Skirt - Macy's (FREE); Shirt - thrifted; Shoes - Jessica Simpson (thrifted); Belt - NY&Co; Cardi - NY&CO (thrifted); Ring - Steinmart; Earrings - Chicos; Necklace - Premiere

While my new cut felt drastic to me, it doesn't look that different in this photo. The major difference, aside from 4 inches in length, is the feel. No more fuzzy ends, more thickness...it just feels healthier. And, I was able to get my hair in a condition I was willing to go to work in without touching a heating tool or stylig product (other than my hair dryer). That is a big bonus and saved me about 15 minutes. For a non-morning person that is HUGE. However, a few weeks into this haircut, and I'm ready to go shorter.....

As for the clothes....this picture doesn't do this outfit justice. I fell in love with the thrifted $2.00 tank top because of its floral pattern in muted tones. And I loved the contrast of the black and white striped back (probably should have gotten a back shot). But lately my handsome little boy had a great desire to become a part of the picture process. Hubs and I sneak into the dining room while he's enthralled in Mickey Mouse Club House and try to quickly pose and snap before the boy rushes in and stands next to me with a smile and a head tilt and a hand on his hip. Its freakin' adorable, but makes for rushed blog shots. Hubs is Graphic Designer, but there's only so much photoshopping-of-boy-out-of-picture that he is willing to do for MY hobby.

From Paris, with Love

Skirt - NY & Co (thrifted); Shirt - Loft (thrifted); Shoes, Bangle, Necklace and Belt - Thrifted

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While I own a crap-ton of items from Plato's Closet, this is the first time I've created an outfit entirely out of items from my hand-me-down Mecca. The skirt I totally love because of its 50's feel and the fact that it is covered in little pictures of women having coffee at outdoor cafe's in what I can only assume is Paris. ADORABLE!!! Add that it has a stretchy waist and will (hopefully) shrink with me as I lose weight, and it's quickly skyrocketing to the top of my skirt list. And this outfit is probably my favorite combo of red-white and blue yet.

Yeah, gonna try that weight loss thing again. Wish me luck. If I don't lose some lbs, my back pain will never get any better and it's starting to really interfere with my everyday life. Cross your fingers for me ladies!

My Blue Heaven

Skirt, Shirt and Boots - Thrifted; Cardi and Earrings - Steinmart; Belt and Ring - NY & Co; Necklace - PremiereI've been in love with cobalt blue lately. Any way I can incorporate it into my outfit, I do. This outfit was my Blue Heaven.

Shirt and Belt - NY & Co; Pants - Thrifted; Shoes - Stuart Weitzman (thrifted); Ring - Macy's

Farewell Old Friends

Shirt - Gap; Skirt - Old Navy; Shoes - Payless; Belt and Ring - Steinmart; Necklace - Premiere; Earrings - Macy's
Shirt - Gap; Cardi - Kohls; Skirt - JC Penny; Belt - NY & Co; Shoes - Thrifted; Necklace - Me

I couldn't decide in or out today. While my silhouette looked better head on with the skirt inside the high waisted skirt, the pleats on the skirt cause it to pooch out a bit in the area where I actually do have a pooch. So, my profile looked better when the shirt was untucked. I never did manage to decide, switching between the two looks every time I went to the bathroom. Ah, indecision.

Skirt - NY & Co; Shirt - Gap (thrifted); Jacket - Steinmart; Shoes - Payless; Belt - Thrifted

I retired two of the shoes pictured in this post after this week. The snakeskin sandals, while super hot, were a bit too big and the constant rubbing and shifting of my feet inside them was so very painful. The teal lovelies, I actually shed a bit of a tear for. I have loved these shoes for so long and have put up with the excruciating pain that I felt at the base of my big toes because the peep toe scraped the nail beds at just the perfectly horrible spot. I had to finally give up the ghost. I promised Hubs no shoes that couldn't make it through a day at the office, so bye-bye small instruments of podiatral torture. You will be missed. By me, not my feet.

School's Out for Summer

Skirt - Ralph Lauren (Macy's FREE); Cardi - Gap; Shirt - Style & Co (Macys FREE); Belt and Ring - NY & Co; Shoes - Jessica Simpson (TJ Maxx); Earrings - Premiere; Necklace- Thrifted.
I took my last two exams for the spring this week. I aced them both. Now, maybe I can take a moment or two to blog occasionally. I'm really behind.

Ode to a Grecian Urn

Dress and Boots - Thrifted; Sweater and Leggings - Steinmart; Belt - TJ Maxx; Necklace - ME; Ring - Steinmart; Cuff - Premiere

There are two color combinations that I try to stay away from; red, white and blue, and red, white and black. One evokes images of fireworks and the other newspapers. Regardless how trendy my red, white and blue attire, I still feel like the schoolteacher with american flag vest or redneck with flag bandana on. Red, white and black, however makes me feel EVERYONE else. It makes me feel like the old me. The me whose idea of being wacky was adding a bit of red to my black and white outfit. The me whose wardrobe consisted of 95% white and black. But I was losing track of what white and black was - Classic. I can wear the color combinations of the general public and still feel like me. I don't have to sacrifice my style. I loved this outfit and what it stood for. Plus, it was super comfy.

Shirt and Pants - Steinmart; Shoes - TJ Maxx; Belt - NY & Co; Ring - Steinmart; Belt - NY & Co; Earrings - Chico's; Necklace and Bracelet - Premiere

I have a serious problem. I went to a jewelry party last night and knew the name of nearly every item that the girls had on or the rep showed us. Without looking at the catalog. I apparently have an obsession with premiere jewelry. It was easy to restrain myself last night as I realized that everything I wanted, I already own.

I love this shirt for its conservative, yet sexy look. Everything of importance is covered, but the sheer sleeves and peek-a-boo shoulders are spicy. I love the flowy sleeves which give it a bit of a Grecian feel. Husby said that my outfit was plum-tastic.

All that Glitters is not Gold

Sweater - NY & Co; Shirt - Steinmart (FREE); Belt - Trhifted;

Skirt - NY & Co; Tights - Motherhood Maternity; Shoes -Payless

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My little sister turned 25 and developed the family figure. No, she didn't get prego. It's just that our mother is an apple, and all 4 of us girls started out skinny minnie's, but when we reached maturity (and developed thyroid disease), our bodies evolved into the apple shape. Lil' Sis was lucky enough to have it happen to her before she had children, and was able to adopt an aggressive workhout schedule in a bootcamp and get back nearly to her fighting weight. I'm so proud of her, but jealous at the same time because I do not have the hours to devote to working out that she does. My journey is much longer than hers. The good thing for me, though, is that she gave me all of her fat clothes. You'll see quite a few items indicated as FREE from Steinmart in the next couple of months that came from her.

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This particular day I was returning to work after a week off with a stomach bug and bronchitis, so I wanted to look sparkly, even if I didn't quite feel it. I never thought to put these colors together in this way before, but I'm glad I did. Compliments abounded this day and I ended up feeling almost back to normal by the end of the day. I think the skirt definitely helped.

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My hair was also kind of feathered when I woke up, so I went with it and did my impression of Kardashian hair. I'll be leaving this hairstyle to the professionals from now on.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Dusty Blue

Shirt - Steinmart; Sweater - Thrifted; Skirt - Old Navy; Boots - Marshalls; Tights - NY & Co;

I am in LOVE with long sweaters lately. I've thrifted two recently, this dusty blue number being the second, and I just can't get enough. I even find myself putting them on over my jammies at night to snuggle on the couch with the kids before bedtime. And making pancakes with them on in the morning...or taking the dog out so that others can see them too. There is something so comforting about them, and yet so stylish, especially when I match with a belt and some boots.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Snakeskin Strappies

Shirt - Loft (courtesy of Shessica's Smashion site); Cardi - TJ Maxx; Pants - Style & Co (Macy's);

Shoes - Thrifted; Necklace - Bakers; Cuff and Ring - Premiere; Belt - NY & Co.

These shoes are my favorite part of this outfit, although I'm quite happy about how the outfit came together. Mother Nature can't quite figure out if she wants it to be spring or winter, so I've found that my best bet with classes and work is to dress in layers. But the fact that it has warmed up enough to be able to wear open-toed shoes is flippin fantastic! These puppies were found at Plato's Closet for $8 if I remember correctly. And worth EVERY Penny. THeya re actually pretty comfy, too. I've worn them to work a couple of times. I struggled for quite some time to find a necklace that mixed metals as well as the fabulous cuff that husby bought me for Christmas last year. This gem was spotted as a co-worker and I breezed through a mall in Columbus to eat at the foodcourt before heading home from work meetings. My company's Columbus office is located within a mall....while I briefly considered relocating there when the office first opened, once I found that out I took my name out of consideration. We'd be bankrupt if I worked that close to shopping all the time!!

I loved my hair so much I made Husby take a side shot.
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Rating - Two Thumbs Up