Holy Brightness, Batman!

Cardi - Old Navy; Tank - Steinmart; Pants - Style & Co (Macy's - FREE); Shoes - Vera Wang (Kohls); Belt - Thrifted; Necklace - Steinmart

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When I had to retire my emerald green cardigan because of wear and fading, I searched high and low for a replacement. This old navy cardi was the closest that I could come up with, but when I got it home and started pairing it with things, it's really more limey than emerald. With the weather just starting to warm up, but our city ensconced in rain, I tried to bring some sunshine into my life with this lime/teal combo. My coworkers had to wear sunglasses to be around me.

These Vera Wang pumps are part of a new trend in my life. They are an item that I had in a bag to give to Goodwill cause I hadn't worn them in years. I pulled them out of that Goodwill bag so many times to wear them, that I've decided to keep them. A similar thing happened to the yellow floral cardigan that I wore yesterday for Easter at the In-laws. I packed it in the Goodwill bag because I had only worn it once and just couldn't figure out how to style it. But thanks to my favorite bloggers and their color inspirations, when I was going through the bag to itemize them for the tax man, I rescued it with a 'What was I thinking?'. I guess one woman's garbage can be her own treasure after all :-)

Rating - Two Thumbs Up (if you aren't blinded)

Too Short for Comfort

Sweater - Macy's (FREE); Shirt and Earrings - Steinmart; Skirt - Liz Claiborne (thrifted); Teal tights - Old Navy; Black Chevron Tights - Pea in the Pod (maternity); Belt - thrifted; Shoes - Vera Wang

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The OHW here is the sweater. I've had difficulty styling this sweater because of the waistline. It's one of those really blousy with elastic at the bottom type sweaters that I used to gravitate to because I thought they hid a lot, but they really just made me look like I had no shape. I LOVE this sweater's colors and neck and the gathers at the top of the shoulders. But that darn waist....I felt like I had luck with tucking it in, and I think it looks good in these pictures, but all the extra material kept clumping inside the skirt. It was really awkward. And it didn't help that the skirt was obscenely short. Not when standing, but whenever I sat you could see the line on my tights where the chevron's stopped and the control top began.

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Am I willing to give up on the sweater or the skirt?? Not yet. I think I'll be much more comfortable with the skirt if I can add a trim to it..I was thinking some fun Navy lace. And the sweater...well, I'll just have to try it with some other skirts and bottoms and find a way that it works. It's just too pretty to pass on just yet.

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And I just determined that the best tights ever are maternity tights. The legs are about the same as any other, and the material is the same, but the best part is that the waist line went all the way up to my boobs. No annoying tight roll working its way down my belly. I'm in love.

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Rating - Two Thumbs Up (before I left the house... my thumb was halfmast by lunch)

Hot for Teacher

Cardi and Shirt - Steinmart; Skirt - JC Penny; Shoes - Vera Wang; Necklace and Bracelet - Me; Earrings - Chico's

These pumps....I tried to sell them to Plato's Closet cause I never wore them. They wouldn't buy them (don't know why). I've worn them about 10 times in the 4 months since them (more than I've worn them in the 3 years I've owned them. I'm so glad Plato's passed. What was I thinking??

I saw these rich green and gold imitation pearls when I was looking for craft beads at Michaels and had to buy them. I put them together into this necklace and earring combo, expecting to only be able to wear it with a white shirt, but loving it anyway. I'm glad I was wrong. As I've started cycling in some of my fall/winter clothes, I realize I have two of these Steinmart tanks...one in green, one in blue. Maybe I was subconsciously buying the beads to have jewelry for these shiny, busty tanks with the sheer bow on the left shoulder that I love so much. Hmm.....trust my instinct? Don't mind if I do....
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I felt like a sexy teacher today. Or a naughtly librarian. Or like I should break out into a samba in the middle of class. :-)

October Skies

Shirt - Macy's; Pants - Macy's (shortened, courtesy of Moe); Vest - Thrifted;

Earrings, Ring and Necklace - Baker's; Cuff - Premiere (Gift from Husby); Shoes - Franco Sarto (TJ Maxx)

Had to get a closeup of the ring because I think it's so cool. It's an owl and it seems like he's watching me type when I'm at work. Creepy? No..kinda feels lucky. He turns the bottom of my finger green so I can't wear him very often, but it will take a lot fot me to part with Ollie. (yes, I'm a dork and named my ring)

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I had lots of things to do this day, which required lots of walking, so I thought I'd put my Franco shoes to the test to see if they were worth keeping (I was dubious about their practicality). They failed. MISERABLY. So badly, in fact, that after 4 hours of work (where I spend most of my time in a chair) and a chiropractic appointment, I went to the Plato's Closet next door, took them off my feet and promptly sold them. I then walked barefoot around the store until I found a pair of flats that would allow me to trek to campus for my last final of the quarter without making me want to cut my feet off and found a gorgeous pair of red plaid Jessica Simpson flats which I'm sure will be coming up in posts very soon. And even Husby was proud of my practicality and inventiveness.

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As for my absence...After working two 16 hour days last week, I needed a break, so I took Friday off. Then, the family, myself included, all came down with a bug that had me out for the count until yesterday. I doubt anyone wants to see pictures of my kiddie-puke-encrusted T's and sweats with unbrushed hair or teeth. I'm back now and, aside from some nasty coughs, all of us are again healthy. More posts will be coming soon, OCTOBER!! :-)

I Did it My Way

Pants - Style & Co (Macy's); Vest - Thrifted; Tank - Steinmart;

Gladiator Sandals - Simply Vera by Vera Wang (thrifted);

Earrings, Necklace and Bracelets - ME!!

Day two of vest week allowed me to show off my newly discovered jewelry making skills. I had a necklace (from Premiere, who else) which broke. Only item from that line, ever, that I had a problem with, but the design was flawed in that very heavy beads were only held together by string. Instead of returning it, I took the beads that I collected when it broke to Michaels to see if I could find some beads to agument and try to put it back together myself on some clear elastic cord. The results were fabulous, and I found so many beads that I liked and complemented the necklace that I made some earrings and 3 bracelets. I absolutely LOVE the way they turned out. And got quite a few complements from people. Imagine my glee when my response was, "Thanks! I made them!!" I had a grin that lasted all day long. Look for more jewelry experiments in the future. I've got a turqoise bracelet I love that could use a necklace......

Versatile

Dress - Macy's; Shoes - Simply Vera; Bracelet - Old Navy; Ring - Steinmart;

Necklace - Premiere (did you think I could get by without wearing any

Premiere for one day??); Earrings - Chico's

When I got pregnant with my second child, we knew that we were going to wait to have a third until after I finished school (I still have two half-time years to go). We also thought that waiting might make him our last child - the thyroid condition that I have often comes with infertility and early menopause. Both of our children are blessings, since we weren't sure we'd be able to have any at all, and any future children will be the same.

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But the point of all of this is that I was determined to not add anything to my wardrobe that I couldn't wear post pregnancy. On some items, I failed terribly because they just look too baggy and do nothing for my figure or are a little too generous in the direct tummy area and make me look pregant when I'm not. This dress, however, was a gem. I love this dress. I didn't need it when I bought it, but couldn't walk away from it becuase I was so taken by the unique gray-purple which is truly striking in person. Plus it's a nice comfy and flowy versey dress with POCKETS (I have a secret obsession with pockets) which will come in quite handy when I'm making the treck in our 90+ Cincinnati weather for my 1:00 class. It enhances my bust, and gathers in a decorative way instead of being poochy. This dress will stay in the closet for quite a while.

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And I've determined that this week will be dress week. I have way too many dresses that don't get a lot of wear because they hide in the back of my horribly small and constrictive closet (one day I WILL have a walk-in). Out of sight out of mind. Not this week :-)