Dirty Maritinis and Salads under the Christmas Tree

Shirt - TJ Maxx; Skirt - thrifted; Belt - Dots; Shoes - Moda (thrifted); Necklace - Premiere

I struggle with how to style red.  I'm so tired of red, white and blue, red and black, red and white, and red and emerald green is too christmassy for me.  I love tomato and olive, first obeserved on Kasmira.  But the stuffy engineers in my office, who tend to live in neutrals, spend the day telling me 'Merry Christmas' all day.  When I corrected them with the tomato and olive nuance of the color combo, I got referred to as a salad and a martini (pimento stuffed olive).  I felt like a million bucks and kept my tomato and olive head held hight.

Maternity Revisited

Purple shirt - Motherhood Maternity; Black Shirt - TJ Maxx; Pants,

Cuff and Loafers - Steinmart; Earrings and Necklace - Macy's; Belt - JC Penny

So I was a total dork today and wore these loafers with black socks, but it had just snowed and I wasn't about to break out the heels and wanted warm socks. You can't see the socks anyway.

.

And no, I am not pregnant. The purple frilly blouse is one of those too pretty to retire materntiy blouses. It has an empire waist which makes me look prego and short sleeves, so I was looking to cover it up. My long sleeved faux wrap shirt fit the bill. This is the second outfit of late involving pants which I didn't hate. YAY.

.

Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Silver and Shiny

Cardi and Shirt - Style & Co. (Macy's); Skirt - JC Penny; Shoes - Thrifted;
Necklace - Express; Ring - Premiere

.

Although ensconced in varying shades of gray, black and white, I felt awesome and spunky in this ensemble. I love the cardigan with the ruffles and the shiny silver stripes through the cardigan made me feel equally shiny. The 14 hour workday that followed this picture was easy when I looked and felt this good.
.
Rating - Two Thumbs Up

Yipes Stripes

Sweater - American Eagle (thrifted); Skirt - Old Navy;

Tee - Style & Co (Macy's); Tights - Old Navy; Boots - Macy's;

Belt - Dots; Necklace - JC Penny

.

I am not an every day blogger. I usually only blog what I wear to work, and only then if my husband is awake and aware enough to take the pictures. You will nearly never see an outfit worn to school, since a Tee, a UC fleece jacket and jeans are not nearly exciting enough (and generally only vary in the color of Tee). Unless, I have to stop in to the office before heading to my all-day classes, like on this particular day. I needed something comfy and easy to move in, since I'd not only be performing a lab experiment in the afternoon, but I'd be heading to campus hours before the near lot opens up to non-pass holders, so I'd be walking about a 1/2 mile from where I park to my class once I got there. But it also had to be appropriate enough for my business casual work atmosphere. This is what I settled on. I really liked how it turned out and I was extremely comfy all day. Plus, I feel great any time I wear olive green since my eyes are olivey and it really makes them pop.

Black & White and Red All Over

Tank as Vest - New York & Co (thirfted); Shirt - thrifted;

Pants - Style & Co (Macy's); Shoes - Thrifted; Bracelets - Macy's;

Belt - Thrifted; Earrings and Flower Pin - Steinmart

When I asked Husby if my pattern mixing was too much, he said 'It's okay." When I probed a bit further, he responded, in an equally nonplussed fashion, 'You look fine.' Fine?? FINE?? I don't want to just look fine. I felt stylish and clever and fashion forward and beautiful. I've got on plaid AND stripes at the same time for Cripes Sake!! You're my husband. You're supposed to feel it too!! The second picture is my reaction to 'Fine' and he thought it was so funny that he took a picture of it.

.

But...the reality is, him saying 'Fine' is his way of saying 'It's not my favorite, but you're still my Goose'. I don't dress for compliments. I don't dress for him (most of the time). I dress for me. And Me liked this outfit. Me felt great all day. Go Me! And I'm in love with my surprisingly comfy, super-pointy, plaid fabric pumps. $8 well spent at Plato's Closet. In fact, with all the thrifted and clearance garb I'm wearing, this outfit - shoes and jewelry included - cost around $40.

Shades of Gray

Or is it Grey?? I can never remember.

Vest - Steinmart; Leggings - Gap; Embellished Tank - Steinmart;

Silver Flats - Bakers; Necklaces - Premiere, Ring - Macy's; Earrings - Chico's

I didn't realize how many vests I owned until I was getting ready this morning. Since I'm on a 4-10's schedule until I finish school, I definitely have enough to have a vest themed week. The only bad thing is that this is by far my most interesting vest. The others are all black, or dark brown and very conventional, so I'll have to get a little creative. But I think I'm up for the Challenge!!. Vest Week, Here we Go.

.

And I'd like to take a moment to comment on my hair. I bought some of those foam rollers to try putting in my hair overnight on a lark, just to see what would happen, and I am super-de-duper thirilled. These babies are going to get utilized a bunch! And they made it way easier to get ready for work in the moring. YAY!!